GB869723A - Improvements in or relating to magnetic latches - Google Patents

Abstract

869,723. Magnetic catches. WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION. July 22, 1959 [July 31, 1958], No. 25115/59. Class 44. A magnetic latch, for holding closed a door 13 on e.g. a refrigerator cabinet 14, comprises an armature 12 mounted on the cabinet and two permanent magnets 17 each magnetized to possess at least two unlike magnetic poles, the magnets being disposed within a casing 15 which is attached to the door; the casing 15 has a front wall 19 integral with side walls 21 formed of non- magnetic material, e.g. aluminium, and a rear wall 18, the magnets 17 and the wall 18 being retained in place by rear edge portions of the side walls 21 which are bent around the wall 18. The latter is preferably made of steel and is provided with end extensions 23 through holes 24 in which pass bolts 26 for attaching the casing to the door 13, springs 29 being provided between the door and the extensions 23 for absorbing forces due to impact upon the door being closed. In a modification, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown), the front and side walls of the casing are moulded from a thermoplastic material, e.g. polystyrene, and rear portions of the side walls project through apertures in the rear wall for deformation to overlap the adjoining parts of the latter, so retaining it in place. Disposed in the casing is a single magnet and, behind the magnet, a plate having a high magnetic permeability. The extensions for attaching the casing to the door are formed integrally with the front and side walls of the casing. The rear wall may be made of synthetic plastic material.