Automatic deadbolts
AssigneeMaster Lock Company LLC
InventorPete Kajuch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic door latch has a case with a bolt movable within the case between a fully extended position in which the bolt extends forwardly of the case, a fully retracted position in which the bolt is within the case, and a partially extended position in which the bolt is positioned to contact a door strike. There is a spring which urges the bolt toward the fully extended position. There is a bolt operator for moving the bolt, against the spring, from the fully extended position toward a retracted position. There is a release mechanism which holds the bolt in the partially extended position and which is effective to release the bolt for movement, under urging by the spring, to a fully extended position, from the partially extended position, upon inward movement of the bolt when it is in the partially extended position.
Claims19
An automatic door latch having a case, a bolt movable within said case between a fully extended position in which said bolt extends forwardly of said case, a fully retracted position in which said bolt is within said case, and a partially extended position in which said bolt is positioned to contact a door strike, spring means urging said bolt toward an extended position, bolt operating means for moving said bolt, against said spring means, from the fully extended position toward a retracted position, and a release mechanism for holding said bolt in said partially extended position, said release mechanism including means for releasing said bolt for movement by said spring means, to a fully extended position, upon inward movement of said bolt when in the partially extended position, said release mechanism including a release element connected to said case and channel means on said bolt positioned to coact with said release element, said release element having a portion thereof movable in said channel means to provide for bolt movement between said fully extended position and said fully retracted position and for holding said bolt in said partially extended position.
A door latch having a case assembly including a front case and a rear case telescopically movable relative thereto, a bolt movable in said case assembly between an extended position in which the bolt extends a determined distance forwardly of said front case and a retracted position in which said bolt is within said case assembly, a swivel mounted in said rear case for turning movement, means connecting said swivel and bolt whereby turning movement of said swivel moves said bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said front and rear cases being relatively movable between two backset adjustment positions, a slot in said rear case, and a releasable fastener attached to said front case and having a projection extending into said rear case slot for holding said front and rear cases in an adjustable backset position, said fastener having an exterior arm, movement of which releases said projection from said rear case slot permitting relative movement between said front and rear cases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.