GB2213190A - Fastening - Google Patents

Description

- 1 Catches This invention relates to two-part catches applicable, for

example, to cabinets such as freezers and refrigerators, to deter opening by small children.

In accordance with a feature of the invention there is provided a two-part catch comprising one part for secure attachment to a cabinet body and one for attachment to a cabinet door, wherein the parts have respective interengageable portions which are manually resiliently displaceable in mutually transverse directions and wherein both portions must be so displaced to effect both engagement and dis- engagement of the parts.

With this arrangement, the catch can be designed to require two-handed operation both for release of the catch and engagement, thus reducing the risk of the cabinet being opened by small children and obviating the risk of a child locking itself in the cabinet by "automatic" engagement of the catch.

One form of catch in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of one part of the catch; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line II-II in Fig. 1; 11 Fig. 3 is a front view of a second part of the catch; Fig. 4 is a scrap section on the line lv-iv of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a cross-section showing the catch parts interengaged; 5 Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating operation of the catch. Figs. 1 and 2 show a first catch part 1 which will be termed the "hook part" for convenience. It is moulded in a resilient plastics material to have a flat, plate-portion 2, a cantilever spring finger 3 terminating at a barb or hook 4, and a hoop 6. As seen in Fig. 2, the spring finger is cranked so that for most of its length it is offset outwardly from the remainder of the hook part, whilst remaining parallel to the surface on which that part is mounted.

The second catch part, or keeper 10, is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. It is again moulded from a resilient plastics material and has the form of a flat plate 11 terminating at one end in a thickened loop having a vertical limb 12. The loop also supports an integral keeper bar 13 which is offset from the main plane of the keeper 10 as seen in Fig. 4.

Both catch parts have smooth inner surfaces of substantial area by which they may be attached to the door and body of a cabinet, such as a refrigerator, preferably by means of double-sided adhesive pads.

The hook part 1 is secured to the door 'D' adjacent its opening edge so that the free, barbed end of the finger 3 is level with the edge of the door. The keeper 10 is secured to the side wall of the cabinet body B, level with the hook part, with its loop projecting beyond the outer face of the door D.

Fig. 5 shows the parts interengaged, with the barb 4 of the spring finger 3 engaged with the keeper bar 13.

In order to release the catch, it is necessaryr as indicated in Fig. 6, to press the finger inwardly to disengage the barb from the keeper bar, and also to press the loop of the keeper 10 outwardly, in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the spring finger, i.e. as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5.

This manipulation of the catch thus involves deflecting portions of the catch in mutually transverse directions and sensibly requires two-handed operation, as 10 illustrated in Fig. 6.

Thus, it is very difficult for a small child to release the catch.

However, equally important is the fact that deliberate manipulation is required to engage the catch.

is When the door is merely moved into its closed position, the catch parts cannot interengage, the spring finger 3 coming to rest in the phantom-line position seen in Fig. 5. If the catch is to be engaged, the user must again use two hands, pressing the keeper hoop outwardly 20 and the spring finger inwardly, and then releasing the hoop and then the finger. It is thus impossible for a child to lock itself inside the cabinet, and difficult for a child outside the cabinet to engage the catch.

The fact that the catch parts cannot engage automatically on closure of the door is also convenient for normal, authorized use for example of a domestic refrigerator, since the door can be opened and closed freely,in the usual way, until the user acts positively to engage the catch.

-1 - 4

Claims (2)

1. CLAIMS:

   is 1. A two-part catch comprising one part for secure attachment to a cabinet body and one for attachment to a cabinet door, wherein the parts have respective interengageable portions which are manually resiliently displaceable in mutually transverse directions and wherein both portions must be so displaced to effect both engagement and disengagement of the parts.
2. 2. A two-part catch according to claim 1, wherein one said part comprises a spring finger extending in use generally parallel with the surface on which the part is mounted, the free end of the finger being resiliently displaceable in directions perpendicular to the said surface, and the other said part having a keeper part formed on the displaceable portion of the respective part, the said portion being resiliently displaceable in a direction substantially parallel with the length of the said finger, engagement being effected by displacement of the portion having the keeper part away from the free end of the finger and of the free end of the finger towards the said surface, followed by resilient return of the keeper part to its normal position and the return of the spring finger.

   Published 1989 at The Patent Office. State House. 66 71 High Holborn, London WCIR 4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent OMce. Sales Branch, St M&T7 Cray, Orpington- Rent BR5 3113). Printed by Multiplex techmques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent, Con. 1187