GB766644A - Improvements in and relating to latches - Google Patents

Abstract

766,644. Door fastenings. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO., Ltd. Oct. 8, 1954 [Oct. 9, 1953], No. 27831/53. Class 44. A latch comprises two co-operating assemblies fitted respectively to a door or like closure member 2 and to its frame 1, one of the assemblies including a wheel 9 pivoted about an axis 10 perpendicular to the initial direction of motion of the door or the like member from its closed position, and the other including a striker 11a arranged to ride over the wheel in contact with its peripheral surface as the door or like member approaches its closed position, the striker being urged against the wheel by biasing means 15 and resting when the latch is fully engaged against the peripheral surface of the wheel in a position whence it cannot ride over the wheel to permit an opening movement of the door or like member, the latch including also manually operable means 16 capable of displacing the striker against the action of the biasing means at least to a position whence it can ride over the wheel. The wheel 9 which as shown has a plurality of teeth 9a is pivotally mounted on the frame 1 by means of a bracket 6, the position of which is adjustable relative to the frame. A latch arm 11, a bead on which forms the striker 11a, is pivotally mounted at 12 on the member 2 and it is moved by a lever handle forming the manually operable means 16 which is also pivotally mounted on the door and which is biased by a spring (not shown). A recess 16a in this handle engages the part of the arm 11 remote from the striker 11a to move the striker out of engagement with the wheel. The end of the bracket 6 is provided with projecting lugs 6a which initially engage the striker 11a as the door is closed, to position the striker relative to the wheel so that it can engage the teeth of the wheel. The relative positions of the striker 11a and the axis 10 of the wheel can be such that the latch is either of the push-pull type or of the type which positively holds the door closed. In the former case, as shown in Fig. 1, the striker is arranged to be positioned to the right of the axis when the door is closed, in the second case the striker is arranged to be positioned to the left of the axis 10 when the door is closed so that it is in an over dead-centre position. The latch can be adapted for use with either sliding or pivoted doors.