US 7,611,174 B2Granted

Latching system and method

AssigneeFPI Fireplace Products International Ltd.

InventorsGeorge H. K. Lau, E. Wayne Thurber, Todd O. Bolenback

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Abstract

A latching system and method are provided for facilitating an easier and/or smoother latching of a locking mechanism, such as a latching and catching mechanism for use with the closing of doors. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary latching system comprises a catch device and a latch handle configured for maintaining closure of a door. To reduce or prevent any undesirable “kick-back” of the latch handle during closure of the door, the catch device can comprise a catch spring mechanism configured to facilitate engagement with the latch handle. To provide for a substantially even balance against the catch device and/or to provide for a substantially even pressure against a door gasket, the latch handle can comprise a latch spring mechanism configured to allow engagement of the latch handle to the catch device as well as facilitate engagement of the door during closure.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A latching system comprising:

a latch handle assembly comprising a latching member, wherein said latching member comprises a seat a latch spring and a rotatable latch handle at the opposite end of said latching member;
and
a catch device operable to removably couple with said latch handle assembly comprising:
(1) a catch mount comprising a pair of openings separated by a slot, each of said pair of openings operable for insertion of an attachment component;
(2) a substantially vertically-oriented catch spring located within said slot;
(3) a spring holder slidable within said pair of openings comprising a protruding engagement component;
(4) a spring loaded catch comprising a recessed engagement component, said catch spring seated within said recessed engagement component, and said protruding engagement component extending into said catch spring to contain said catch spring within said catch mount;
and (5) said spring loaded catch comprising a catching member having an upwardly-extending u-shaped curved portion, wherein said catching member is operable to urge said catch spring to a compressed position when said catching member is positioned within said seat of said latching member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/939,270Filed 13 Nov 2007 · continuation
Priority: 8 Aug 2003
Published: US 2008/0061562 A113 Mar 2008
Granted: 3 Nov 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

E05B 15/022
Striking-plates, keepers, staples: movable, resilient or yieldable
E05B 63/244
Arrangements in which the fastening members which engage one another are mounted respectively on the wing and the frame and are both movable,…
E05C 3/14
With latching action: with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the latch
F24B 13/004
Details solely applicable to stoves or ranges burning solid fuels: doors specially adapted for stoves or ranges

Family

Application60/493,709Us provisional application · filed 8 Aug 2003
Application10/915,010Parent of this continuation · filed 9 Aug 2004
US 2008/0061562 A1Pre-grant publication · published 13 Mar 2008
US 7,311,339 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2005/0067841 A1Published application
US 7,611,174 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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