US 5,172,944 A · Multiple point cam-pinion door latch

Abstract

A multiple point latching system, for use with single or multi-door enclosures, which utilizes a plurality of combinational cam-pinion latch members which are rotatably mounted to the inside surface of the door and simultaneously driven by an elongated rack which extends between such latches and disconnectedly inter-engages therewith. Each combinational cam-pinion latch includes a plurality of teeth which disconnectedly inter-engage with apertures in the rack to cause simultaneous rotation thereof. A handle which is connected to the door and accessible from the exterior thereof drives one of the latch members which in turn causes movement of the rack and consequent rotation of all other combinational cam-pinion latches. Such latches are rotatably mounted at spaced locations along the free peripheral portions of the enclosure door. Each latch has a camming surface which engages the enclosure and draws the door into tightly sealed relation therewith upon closure of the door and movement of the handle to cause such latches to simultaneously move into their latched position. All cam-pinion latches and other associated latching hardware is mounted on the door in such a position that it is outside the sealed gasketed interior of the enclosure when closed and latched thereto, with no portions thereof protruding through the body of the enclosure to create possible leakage problems therein.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An enclosure with a multiple point door latching assembly comprising:

(a) enclosure having opening-defining portions and a door pivotally mounted thereto, said door having top, bottom and side edges and being movable between open and closed positions, and said door having an inside and outside surface and an integral peripheral flange extending away from said inside surface along at least one of said side edges of said door, said inside surface being constructed and arranged to cover and seal against said opening-defining portions of said enclosure when closed;
(b) a plurality of latch members disposed exteriorally of said door, said latch members being rotatably mounted in spaced relation to each other along peripheral portions of said inside surface of said door adjacent said peripheral flange thereof, each of said latch members being movable between a latched and unlatched position;
(c) a drive means for causing simultaneous rotation of all said latch members between their said latched and unlatched positions upon rotation of one of said latch members, said drive means being disposed in abutting relation with said peripheral flange of said door and being constructed and arranged to be supported thereby in inter-engaging relation with each of said latch members;
(d) a lever disposed external to said enclosure and connected to one of said latch members to facilitate rotation of same between its said latched and unlatched position;
and
(e) each of said latch members including means for engaging said enclosure and drawing said door into tightly sealed relation therewith upon closure of said door and rotation of said lever, and said latch member connected thereto, into said latched position.

3 more elements

A multiple point latching assembly for the door of an enclosure having a plurality of wall panels, comprising:

(a) a plurality of wall-panel mounting members connected to the enclosure at spaced locations thereabouts, each of said mounting members being constructed and arranged with the dual capability for mounting or latching of at least a door panel thereto, at least some of said mounting members pivotally supporting said door panel so as to be capable of moving said door panel between an open and closed position;
(b) a plurality of latch members rotatably mounted to said door panel, each of said latch members being movable between a latched and unlatched position and constructed and arranged to engage one of said mounting members in latching relation upon rotation thereof into said latched position after closure of said door panel, thereby drawing said door panel into tightly sealed relation with the enclosure;
(c) a drive means which is constructed and arranged to be supported between said latch members and said door panel in inter-engaging relation with each of said latch members, and to drive and cause simultaneous rotation of all said latch members between said latched and unlatched positions upon movement of said drive means;
and
(d) a control means disposed in engaging relation with said drive means for causing movement thereof and consequent movement of said latch members between their latched and unlatched positions, said control means being movably connected to said door panel and accessible from the exterior thereof.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple point cam-pinion door latch

Life of this patent

Multiple point cam-pinion door latch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26