GB2283275A - Door catch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door catch. There is described a door catch comprising a locking element 10 pivotable about a single axis 12 and adapted to be mounted adjacent a door opening, the element being pivotable between a first position in which movement of the door is obstructed, and a second position in which the door is free to move, wherein the axis 12 about which the locking element is pivotable is parallel to the axis of the rail or the doorframe on which the locking element is mounted. Typically, the locking element has a generally elongate form. Preferably, the element has a generally arcuate face 21 for engaging a door when the element is in the first position. <IMAGE>

Description

DOOR CATCH The present invention relates to a door catch.

Door catches for holding a door in a closed or open position are well known. A typical catch comprises a sliding par or rotatable member attached to the door, the bar or member being movable into position whereby the bar or rotatable member engages a socket attached to or formed in the door frame. These catches necessitate accurate fitting to ensure that the socket is in correct alignment with the bar or rotatable member. Even if the two catch elements are initially correctly aligned, over a period of time lt is common that the door will move or warp slightly thereby taking the two elements out of correct alignment. This 1S a particularly frequent occurrence in public lavatories, where the door may receive frequent and harsh use.

One known method of overcoming these problems is to Drovide a catch mountable on the door frame and which comprises a locking element which is pivotable in two directions. From the rest position where the door is openable, the locking element pivots about a horizontal axis and then pivots about a vertical axis engaging a restraining lip on the catch itself. The pivoting about the vertical axis causes the locking element to engage the face of the door and thereby prevent any opening movement thereof. Although overcoming the alignment problems associated with the two element door catch, this single element catch requires some manual dexterity to operate and is relatively difficult to manufacture.

According to the present invention there is provided a door catch comprising a locking element pivotable about a single axis and adapted to be mounted adjacent a door opening, the element element being pivotable between a first position in which movement of the door is obstructed, and a second position in which the door is free to move, wherein the axis about which the locking element is pivotable is parallel to the axis of the rail of the door frame on which the locking element is mounted.

Typically, the locking element is mounted in a housing adjacent the door frame. The housing may, where appropriate, be formed in part of the surrounding door frame or an adjacent wall or may be provided as a separate unit securable to the door frame or adjacent wall.

Preferably, the door catch is mounted such that the locking member is pivotable about a vertical axis.

Preferably means are provided to restrain the locking element in one or each of the first and second positions.

Typically, the locking element has a generally elongate form.

Preferably the element has a generally arcuate face for engaging the door when the element is in the first position.

The above an other aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment a door catch in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of the embodiment of Figure 1, in use in the unlocked configuration allowing a door to open; and Figure 3 is a section similar to that of Figure 2 with the embodiment in the locking configuration, thereby preventing opening of the door.

Referring to the Figure(s), an embodiment of a door catch in accordance with the present invention comprises a generally elongate locking member 10 pivotably mounted in a housing 11 about a generally centrally positioned axis 12. In use, the housing is mounted adjacent the door 13, for example by means of screws 15 securing the housing into a door frame 14.

The locking member 10 has a generally trapezium-shaped form, the forward (in use) side forming a door abutment face 21 and the rearward side forming a housing abutment face 22. In the preferred embodiment shown, door abutment face 21 has a generally arcuate form defined by a radius about axis 12.

Axis 12 is positioned generally centrally with respect to outward facing side edge 20 of the trapezium-shaped locking member 10 and displaced closer to this longer edge of the trapezium than to the shorter side edge 24.

In use, the locking member 10 and housing 11 are secured to the rail 14 of a door frame such that the locking member is pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of the rail 14 of the door frame on which the catch is mounted. For convenience, the catch is preferably mounted on the vertical rail of the door frame opposite the rail on which the door is hung. Accordingly locking member 10 is pivotable about a vertical axis.

To allow the door 13 to freely open, the locking member 10 is retracted into housing 11 (as shown in Figure 2). Pressure at A on the locking member 10 causes the member to pivot about the axis 12 until housing abutment face 22 comes into contact with the wall 23 of housing 11 as shown in Figure 3.

The rotational movement of the locking member 10 causes the door abutment face 21 of the member to project outwardly from the housing 11 such that movement of door 13 results in it abutting against face 21 thereby preventing the door from being opened.

To release the catch, pressure is applied at point B as shown in Figure 3, thereby causing locking member 10 to retract into housing 11.

Although alternative shapes for locking member 10 may be devised within the scope of the present invention, that described has further advantages in that if the catch is in the locking position as shown in Figure 3 with the door open, closing of the door will cause the locking member to retract into housing 11.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking member 10 is held or restrained into the unlocked position as shown in Fig. 2, to prevent accidental locking of the door from outside.

Typically this could be provided by a resilient projection in either, or both, the upper or lower walls (24,25) of the housing 11 locating in a depression or aperture in the corresponding upper or lower edge of locking member 10.

Alternatively, a spring-mounted retractable ball-bearing may be provided in wall 24 or 25 again receivable in an aperture or depression provided in the corresponding edge of locking member 10. Similar holding or restraining means may also be provided such that, in use, the locking member 10 can be held in the locked position.

Locking member 10 and housing 11 may be moulded from a plastics material or carved from wood. Housing 11 may be provided as a separate item, or may be provided by a mortice formed in the door frame or an adjacent wall if appropriate.

Where the housing 11 is provided as a separate item it may be surface mounted or flush mounted into the door frame or adjacent wall.

Claims (4)

1. A door catch comprising a locking element pivotable about a single axis and adapted to be mounted adjacent a door opening, the element being pivotable between a first position in which movement of the door is obstructed, an a second position in which the door is free to move, wherein the axis about which the locking element is pivotable is parallel to the axis of the rail of the doorframe on which the locking element is mounted.

2. A door catch as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means to restrain the locking element in one or each of the first and second positions.

3. A door catch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking element has a generally elongate form and a generally arcuate face for engaging the door when the element is in the first position.

4. A door catch substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.