# US 7,407,199 B2 · Self-latching device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,199 B2 - Document ID: US7407199B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/532,552 - Filed: 2003-10-24 - Published: 2006-02-16 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-24 - Assignees: Assa Abloy Financial Services AB - Inventors: Leigh Richardson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407199B2 ## CPC - E05C 1/10: with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the latch - E05B 63/20: released automatically when the wing is closed {(for panic door locks of the vertical rod type E05B65/1013)} - Y10S 292/20: Window fasteners - Y10T 292/0969: Spring projected - Y10T 292/0977: Cam - Y10T 292/0997: Rigid - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A self-latching sash latch device for use with a sliding closure. The latch device has a primary bolt (15) which in use engages with a strike (12). The primary bolt (15) is coupled to an operating element (13) whereby the primary bolt is moveable from a latching position to a retracted position. A retainer (38) retains the primary bolt (15) in the retracted position. A secondary bolt (16) is moveable with or independent of the primary bolt (15) and is engageable with the retainer (38) to release the retainer and enable the primary bolt (15) to move from a retracted position to the latching position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-latching sash latch device including a latch body having a primary bolt, a strike, the primary bolt being mounted for sliding movement in said body between a latching position where, in use, the primary bolt engages in a latching configuration with the strike and a retracted position, and an operating element operatively coupled to the primary bolt to enable the primary bolt to be moved from the latching position to the retracted position, a retaining means to retain the primary bolt in the retracted position and a secondary bolt movably engaged with the primary bolt to be moveable together with the primary bolt and relative to the primary bolt, the secondary bolt has a leading end which has a first engagement surface which is exposed for contact with a part of the strike when the primary bolt is moved to the retracted position by the operating element, whereby contact between the first engagement surface and said part of the strike during relative movement between the body and strike causes the secondary bolt to move relative to the primary bolt to the position where the secondary bolt effects release of the retaining means to release the primary bolt and enable the primary bolt to move from the retracted position to the latching position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary bolt is biased by biasing means to move to the latching position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary bolt is slidingly located in the primary bolt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary bolt is slidingly mounted in a chassis which is removably coupled to a base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The latch device as claimed in claim 4, further including a cover removably mounted to the chassis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first engagement surface is a surface, which is inclined relative to the direction in which the secondary bolt is moveable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strike has a wall which overlaps an engagement portion of the primary bolt when the primary bolt is in the latching position and the latch device is in a latching configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary bolt has a second engagement surface which is engageable with said part of the strike upon relative movement between the body and strike occurring in an opposite direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary bolt and the release means are independently biased by separate biasing means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The latch device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the retaining means is a spring clip engageable with an abutment of the primary bolt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The latch device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the release member is moveable to a position where it moves the spring clip out of engagement with the abutment to thereby release the retaining means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4, 11) The latch device as claimed in claim 4 or 11, further including limiting means engageable with the primary bolt when in the latching position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The latch device as claimed in claim 11, further including limit release means engageable with the primary bolt when in the latching position operable by the operating element to release the limiting means to free the primary bolt for movement from the latching position to the retracted position. ### Claim 14 A self-latching device including a latch body having a primary bolt, a strike, the primary bolt being mounted for sliding movement in said body between a latching position where, in use, the primary bolt engages in a latching configuration with the strike and a retracted position, and an operating element operatively coupled to the primary bolt to enable the primary bolt to be removed from the latching position to the retracted position, a retaining means to retain the primary bolt in the retracted position and a release member moveable with or independent of the primary bolt to effect release of the retaining means to release the primary bolt and enable it to move from the retracted position to the latching position, and an indicator means moveable in response to movement of the primary bolt to provide an indication visually apparent from an external surface of the body of the latch device being in a latching or non-latching configuration the indicator comprising an elongate member with a distal end for slidingly moving through an opening in the external surface of the body, wherein there is further provided two cover elements to cover the opening but moveable to enable said distal end to become visible. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The latch device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cover elements comprise a pair of flaps carried by legs, the legs being moveable apart by movement of the elongate member to cause the flaps to move away from covering the opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The latch device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the distal end includes a knob. ### Claim 17 A self-latching sash latch device including a latch body having a primary bolt, a strike, the primary bolt being mounted for sliding movement in said body between a latching position where, in use, the primary bolt engages in a latching configuration with the strike and a retracted position, and an operating element operatively coupled to the primary bolt to enable the primary bolt to be moved from the latching position to the retracted position, a retaining means to retain the primary bolt in the retracted position and a secondary bolt slidingly located in the primary bolt to be moveable together with the primary bolt and relative to the primary bolt, the secondary bolt has a leading end which has a first engagement surface which is exposed for contact with a part of the strike when the primary bolt is moved to the retracted position by the operating element, whereby contact between the first engagement surface and said part of the strike during relative movement between the body and strike causes the secondary bolt to move relative to the primary bolt to the position where the secondary bolt effects release of the retaining means to release the primary bolt and enable the primary bolt to move from the retracted position to the latching position.