WO2011088496A1

WO2011088496A1 - A latching assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011088496A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart John Andrews; Mark Cumming
Original assignee: Stuart John Andrews; Mark Cumming
Priority date: 2010-01-22
Filing date: 2011-01-07
Publication date: 2011-07-28

Abstract

A latching assembly comprising: a latch component (100) comprising a magnetic latch (110); and an actuator component (200) comprising at least one magnet (262, 264) which is selectively configurable between a latching configuration in which the magnetic latch (110) is, in use, attracted towards the actuator component (200) and an unlatching configuration in which the magnetic latch (110) is, in use, repelled away from the actuator component (200).

Description

2011/000012

1

A LATCHING ASSEMBLY

This International Application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Applications 2010 900240, 2010 901111 , and 2010 903940. Each of these priority applications is hereby incorporated in their entirety by cross-reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a latching assembly which is particularly^' suitable for securing gates associated with swimming pools, child care centres, play grounds, or other installations where it is desired to have a child-proof, automatically-latching gate. The invention will be primaril described in a non-limiting manner with reference to this field of use. However, it will be appreciated that the latching assembly has utility in other fields of use. For example, the latching assembly also has utility with screen doors and security doors as will be described below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatically-latching gates are usually spring-biased towards the closed position. Upon reaching the closed position, the latching assembly is automatically deployed to securely latch the gate in the closed position.

In many instances, the automatically-latching gate is also designed to be child-proof. In these cases, the latched gate can only be unlatched.and then re-opened via the manipulation of a lift knob which is located at an elevated position which is out of the reach of small children.

US Patent 5,362,116 teaches a child-proof, latching assembly of the above type and is hereby incorporated by cross reference. This latching assembly has a vertically-reciprocating, metallic latch which is spring-biased to an upper, unlatched position in the absence of any other over- riding force. However, when the gate is closed, the metallic latch is aligned over a magnet which is located at the base of a recess and the metallic latch is attracted by the magnet to a lower, latched position at which it engages the recess and prevents opening of the gate. In order to re-open the gate, an elevated lift knob must be manually lifted to lift the metallic latch away from the magnet and back to the upper, unlatched position.

US Patent 7,100,405 teaches a variation of the latching assembly of US Patent 5,362,116 and is also hereby incorporated by cross reference. This latching assembly includes a secondary mechanism for lifting the metallic latch away from the magnet for the purpose of unlatching the gate. The secondary mechanism is key-operated and is located at a height which is convenient for a person in a wheelchair.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various aspects, the present invention provides a latching assembly, an actuator component, and a latch component according to the following claims. Preferred features of the various aspects of the invention will be apparent from the dependant claims and from the following description of the preferred embodiments.

As used herein, the term "magnetic latch' is used to denote a latch which consists of, or comprises, a magnet. As such, the magnetic latch can be attracted to or repelled by another magnet, depending on the polarity of that other magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The various aspects of the invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner with respect to preferred embodiments in which :-

FIG 1 is a right-front perspective view of a first embodiment of a latching assembly in situ; FIG 2 is a left-front perspective view of the latching assembly in situ;

FIG 3 is a rear perspective view of the latching assembly in situ; 11 000012 IG 4 is a rear perspective view of the latch component with the magnetic latch retracted;

IG 5 is a rear perspective view of the latch component with the magnetic latch extended; IG 6 is a left-front perspective view of the latch component mounted to a gate;

IG 7 is a sectioned view of FIG 5 showing internal details of the latch component;

IG 8 is a right-front perspective view of the latching assembly;

IG 9 is a left-front perspective view of the latching assembly;

IG 10 is a rear perspective view of the latching assembly;

IG 1 is a front-right perspective view of the latching assembly which is partially exploded; IG 12 is a rear perspective view of the latching assembly which is partially exploded;

IG 13 is a front-right perspective view of the latching assembly which is more fully exploded;^' IG 14 is a rear perspective view of the latching assembly which is more fully exploded;

FIG 15 is a rear perspective view of the actuator and lift knob in isolation;

FIG 16 is a right-front perspective view of a second embodiment of a latching assembly;

FIG 17 is a right-front, sectioned perspective view of the second embodiment;

FIG 18 is a further right-front, sectioned perspective view of the second embodiment;

FIG 19 is a right-front perspective view of the second embodiment with the fence post omitted;

FIG 20 is a left-front perspective view of the second embodiment with the fence post omitted;

FIG 21 is a right-front perspective of a third embodiment of a latching assembly

FIG 22 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a latching assembly;

FIG 23 is an exploded and sectioned view of the^'fourth embodiment with the square shaft omitted for ease of viewing;

FIG 24 is an exploded and sectioned view of the fourth embodiment;

FIG 25 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a latch component; FIG 26 is a partially exploded and sectioned view of the fifth embodiment with the latch in the extended or deployed position; and

FIG 27 is a partially exploded and sectioned view of the fifth embodiment with the latch in the retracted or non-deployed position.

On the following page is a guide to the reference numerals used in the FIGS. Latch Component 100

Magnetic Latch 110

Magnet 112

Housing 120 Spigot 130

Flange 140

Bracket 150

Actuator Component 200

Lift Knob 210 Housing 220

Recess 222

Backing 224

Boss 226

Upper Key-Operated Mechanism. 230

Pinion 232

Shaft 234

Fitting 236

Circular Flange 238

Socket 239 Lock 240 ·

Lower Key-Operated Mechanism 250

Pinion 252

Shaft . 254

Fitting 256 Rack 257

Circular Flange 258

Socket 259

Actuator 260

Latch-Attracting Magnet 262 Latch-Repelling Magnet 264

Magnet Module 265

Upper Bifurcated Section 266

Rack 267

Lower Bifurcated Section 268 Lock Bearing Surface 269

Gate 300 FIRST (EXTERNALLY -MOUNTED) EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 1 TO 15

With reference firstly to FIGS 1 , 2 & 3 there are illustrated various perspective views of a latching assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention in situ.

The latching assembly is comprised of two main components, being the latch component 100 and the actuator component 200. The latch component 100 is mounted to a gate 300. The actuator component 200 is mounted to a fence 400. Of course this can be reversed if desired with the latch component on the fence and the actuator component on the gate (not illustrated).

Also, whilst the actuator component 200 has been shown as being externally mounted on the fence 400, it is possible to mount the actuator component 200 internally within the fence 400 (see FIGS 16 to 20), or even internally within the gate 300 (not illustrated).

Finally, whilst the components 100, 200 have been shown in FIGS 1 to 3 as being mounted extemally on the outer side of an outwardly opening gate 300, it is possible for the components 100, 200 to be mounted externally on the inner side of the outwardly-opening gate 300 (see FIG 21).

Latch Component 100 Referring to FIGS 4, 5, 6 & 7, latch component 100 comprises a magnetic latch 1 10, housing 120, spigot 130, flange 140 and bracket 150 which are discussed in more detail below.

Magnetic Latch 110 and Housing 120 and Spigot 130 U2011/000012

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Latch component 100 is comprised of a magnetic latch 110 which is mounted for reciprocation within a housing 120. The magnetic latch 110 can reciprocate between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 4) and an extended position (shown in FIGS 5 & 7). The outer tip of the magnetic latch 110 houses a magnet 112 (best seen in FIG 7). The magnetic latch 110 is generally cylindrical and is guided in its reciprocation within housing 120 on a generally-cylindrical, guide spigot 130. The spigot 130, or at least the tip of the spigot 130, is formed from a metallic material such that the magnet 112 is attracted to the spigot 130 and the magnetic latch 110 is therefore magnetically biased to the retracted position shown in FIG. 4.

This magnetic bias to the retracted position is designed to ensure that the magnetic latch 110 does^" not prematurely move to the extended position (shown in FIGS 5 & 7) under the influence of centrifugal force generated during closing of the gate 300.

Flange 140

A generally L-shaped flange 140 is integrally formed with housing 120. The L-shaped flange 140 is adapted to engage with the actuator component 200 when the gate is closed (e.g. see FIGS 1 & 2).

Bracket 150

With reference to FIG 6, a bracket 150 is used to mount the latch component 100 to the gate 300.

The mounting bracket 150 allows the position of the latch component 100 to be horizontally adjusted relative to the gate 300 and this accommodates variations in the dimension of the gap between the gate 300 and fence 400. P T/AU2011/000012

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The mounting bracket 150 is shaped with an inclined upwardly-facing surface to ensure that it is difficult for a child to climb on the gate 300 and use the mounting bracket 150 as a foothold.

Actuator Component 200

The actuator component 200 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS 8- 15.

Actuator component 200 comprises a lift knob 210, housing 220, upper key-operated .

mechanism 230, lock 240, lower key-operated mechanism 250 and actuator 260.

Lift Knob 210

The lift knob 210 is located on the top of the housing 220 and is connected to the actuator 260 through an aperture in the top of the housing 220. In FIGS 1-3 and 8-12, the lift knob 210 is illustrated in its lower (latching) position. The lift knob 210 can be manually lifted against gravity and against spring bias to an upper (un-latching) position.

Housing 220

Housing 220 is elongate and generally square in horizontal cross section. As mentioned above, the top of the housing includes an aperture through which the lift knob 210 is connected to the actuator 260. Recesses 222 are provided on both the right-hand side and left-hand side of the housing to receive the magnetic latch 110 and to allow for both right-handed and left-handed gates.

As shown best in FIG 14, the interior of the housing 220 is exposed when backing 224 is removed from the rear side of the housing 220. Three generally oval-shaped bosses 226 extend rearwardly from the front wall of the housing into the interior of the housing. The upper 2

8

two bosses 226 are straddled by bifurcated sections 266, 268 of the actuator 260 and act as guides for the reciprocably mounted actuator 260.

Further, oval-shaped bores are provided through the oval-shaped bosses 226 in order to receive screws or bolts which fix the actuator component 200 to the fence 400. The oval shape of the bores allows a small amount of vertical adjustment of the actuator component 200 relative to the mounting holes which are drilled in the fence 400. This allows the height of the actuator component 200 to be accurately matched to the height of the latching component 100. The housing 220 includes further apertures for accommodating the upper and lower Key- operated mechanisms 230, 250 and the lock 240.

Finally, with reference to FIG 14, the interior of the housing 220 is shaped so as to guide magnet module 265 and rack 257 in vertical reciprocation.

Upper Key-Operated Mechanism 230

FIGS 1 to 3 and 8 to 14 illustrate an embodiment in which the actuator component 200 is externally mounted on fence 400.

Note that, in FIGS 1 to 3, the actuator component 200 extends above the top of the fence 400. As a consequence, the upper key-operated mechanism 230 is wholly contained within the housing 220 and does not need to extend through the fence 400. In contrast, FIGS 8 to 14 illustrate a variation of the first embodiment in which the upper key- operated mechanism 230 includes a splined shaft 234 which is of a length selected such that the shaft 234 passes from the front of the housing 220, through the actuator component 200, through the fence 400, and to a fitting 236 mounted on the rear side of the fence 400. It follows that the actuator component of FIGS 8 to 14 is not designed to extend above the top of the fence 400 but rather assumes that the upper key-operated mechanism 230 must pass through the fence 400. The splined shaft 234 is generally cruciform in cross section and includes a circular flange 238 approximately mid-way along its length. A pinion 232, which is best seen in FIGS 13, 14 & 15 is slidably mounted on the splined shaft 234 adjacent the front end of the splined shaft 234. The pinion 232 is able to slide axially relative to the shaft 234, but must rotate in unison with the shaft 234. Pinion 232 has teeth on its outer surface which engage with the complementary teeth of a rack 267 (see FIG 15) disposed on actuator 260. Accordingly, rotation of the pinion 232 causes upward reciprocation of the actuator 260.

A pair of horizontally-disposed compression springs (not illustrated) bear on opposite sides of the circular flange 238 and bias the splined shaft to a central or neutral position in which the front end of the shaft 234 is substantially flush with the front of the pinion 232 and front of the housing 220, and the rear end of the shaft 234 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the fitting 236. However, the splined shaft 234 can be urged a small distance against the spring ^' bias in either the forward or rearward directions. When urged in the rearward direction the splined shaft extends rearwardly beyond the fitting 236, and when urged in the forward direction the splined shaft extends beyond the front of the housing 220. When this occurs, the pinion 232 slides on the shaft 234 such that the pinion 232 always remains engaged with the rack 267. When the urging force is discontinued, the splined shaft 234 returns to the central or neutral position.

A double-open-ended socket 239 is rotatably mounted within rear fitting 236. Socket 239 slidably receives the splined, cruciform-shaped shaft 234 such that, absent any over-riding urging force from a user, the front end of the shaft 234 is substantially flush with the front end of the pinion 232 and the rear end of the shaft 234 is substantially flush with the rear end of the rear socket 239. The key/token (not illustrated) for operating the upper key-operated mechanism 230 has a cruciform cross-section which is identical to the shaft 234.

When operating the upper key-operated mechanism 230 from the rear, a person presses the key/token into the rear socket 239, thereby pushing the shaft 234 in the forward direction against the spring bias. Once.the key/token has been advanced into the rear socket 239, the key/token can be rotated in the clockwise direction (as viewed from the rear side). Both the socket 239 and the shaft 234 must rotate in the clockwise direction with the key/token.

Consequently, pinion 232 is rotated in the clockwise direction (as viewed from the rear) and actuator 260 is lifted in the upward direction against a spring bias which tends to return the actuator 260 to the lower (latching) position.

When operating the upper key-operated mechanism 230 from the front, a person presses the . key/token in the pinion 232, thereby pushing the shaft 234 in the rearward direction against the spring bias. Once the key/token has been advanced into the pinion 232, the key/token can be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction (as view from the front) and the actuator 260 is lifted.

In summary, operation of the upper key-operated mechanism 230 involves pressing the key/token into the socket 239 or pinion 232 and then turning the key/token to rotate the socket 239 or pinion 232. When the user discontinues the pressing and turning forces on the key/token, the actuator 260 will return to its lower (latching) position under the influence of spring bias (with consequential rotation of the shaft 234) and the shaft will return to its neutral or central position under spring bias (with consequential ejection of the key/token from the socket 239 or pinion 232).

The automatic ejection of the key/token ensures that the key/token cannot be accidentally left in the key-operated mechanism 230 and then subsequently used by a small child. A further benefit is that it is almost impossible for debris to enter into the key-operated mechanism 230 because the "keyhole'' in the socket is effectively closed by the shaft 234. Π

Lock 240

Actuator component 200 further comprises a key-operated lock 240. Referring to FIGS 14 & 15, when the lock 240 is engaged a rearwardly-extending tab (not illustrated) associated with the lock 240 moves rearwardly and engages with a lock bearing surface 269 (see FIG. 15). Thereafter, the lock 240 prevents actuator 260 from being lifted by any of the mechanisms (lift knob 2 0, upper key-operated mechanism 230, or lower key- operated mechanism 250).

Lower Key-Operated Mechanism 250

Actuator component 200 further comprises a lower key-operated mechanism 250 which has many similarities to the upper key-operated mechanism 230.

Importantly, the lower key-operated mechanism 250 is designed to be provided at a height which would be accessible for a person in a wheel chair or the like.

Lower key-operated mechanism 250 comprises a similar splined shaft 254 and pinion 254 (see FIGS 13 & 14). The splined shaft 254 extends between the front wall of the housing 220 and the rear fitting 256. The outer surface of pinion 252 includes teeth which engage

complementary teeth on a rack 257. Thus, rotation of splined shaft 254 results in rotation of pinion 252, lifting of rack 257, and lifting of actuator 260. As with the upper key-operated mechanism 230, the shaft 254 includes a circular flange 258 approximately mid-way along its axial length. Horizontally disposed compression springs (not illustrated) beaf on the circular flange 258 and bias the shaft 254 to a central or neutral position.

As with the upper key-operated mechanism 230, a socket 259 is rotatably mounted in the rear fitting 256 and pinion 252 is rotatably mounted in the front wall of the housing 220. As with the upper key-operated mechanism, a cruciform shaped key/token (not illustrated) can be pressed into the socket 259 or pinion 252 and then rotated in order to lift the rack 257 and hence also lift actuator 260.

As with the upper key-operated mechanism, discontinuation of the user applied force causes the shaft to return to its original rotational position and original axial position (with consequential ejection of the key/token from the socket 259 or pinion 252). The main difference between the upper and lower key-operated mechanism resides in the fact that the rack 257 is physically separate from the actuator 260 (whereas the rack 267 of the upper mechanism is integral with the actuator 260). In an alternative embodiment, the rack 257 of the lower key-operated mechanism 250 may be integral with the actuator 260. Actuator 260

Referring to FIG 15, actuator component 200 further comprises an actuator 260. Lift knob 210 is mounted to the upper end of actuator 260.

As discussed above, the lower end of actuator 260 is abutted by rack 257 (see FIG 14) and can be lifted by rack 257 upon actuation of the lower key-operated mechanism 250.

The elongate actuator 260 has a circular latch-attracting magnet 262 and a circular latch- repelling magnet 264. The magnets are preferably neodymium magnets. These two magnets are mounted in a magnet module 265 which is removably and reversibly mounted to the remainder of the actuator 260. In this regard, it will be understood that reverse mounting of the magnet module 265 will result in reversal of the polarity of the magnets 262, 264. This is necessary whenever it is necessary to convert a right-hand opening gate to a left-hand opening gate, or vice-versa. Actuator 260 further comprises an upper bifurcated section 266 which includes rack 267, and a lower bifurcated section 268 which comprises a lock bearing surface 269. As previously discussed, rack 267 engages with the pinion 232 associated with the upper key-operated mechanism 230 and lock bearing surface 269 is engaged by a locking tab associated with lock 240.

A compression spring (not illustrated) is provided between the upper bifurcated section 266 and upper inside wall of housing 220 to bias the actuator 260 in a downward direction.

When in the default lower position, latch-attracting magnet 262 is substantially aligned with recess 222 and magnetic latch 110 is attracted into engagement with recess 222.

Conversely, when actuator 260 is lifted against the spring bias, latch-repelling magnet 264 is substantially aligned with recess 222 and magnetic latch 110 is repelled from the recess 222. It will be appreciated that the actuator can be lifted against the spring bias (and also gravity) by any one or more of the three mechanisms provided: namely the lift knob 210, upper key- operated mechanism 230, or lower-key operated mechanism 250. If the lift knob 210 is lifted, then the upper key-operated mechanism 230 will also rotate. If the upper key-operated mechanism 230 is operated, then the lift knob 210 will also be lifted. If the lower key-operated mechanism 250 is operated, then the lift knob 210 will be lifted and the upper key-operated mechanism 230 will rotate. In some embodiments, the lift knob 210 may be omitted, in which case a key/token is always required to open the gate. In other embodiments one or both of the key operated mechanisms can be omitted. During Closing

During closing, the magnetic latch 110 is in the retracted position (FIG 4) and, in the absence of any actuation of the lift knob 210 or upper key-operated mechanism 230 or lower key-operated mechanism 250, the actuator is in the lower position at which the latch-attracting magnet 262 is aligned with the recess 222 in the housing 220. The magnetic latch 110 is biased towards the retracted position by virtue of the weak attraction between the magnet 112 and the metal spigot 130. As the gate 300 approaches the closed position, the magnetic latch 110 and latch attracting magnet 262 are strongly attracted to each other, thereby attracting the gate 300 to the fully closed position and simultaneously attracting the magnetic latch 110 to extend into the recess 222. Lock 240 may be employed to lock the actuator 260 in the lower position and thereby lock the gate, if desired. Locking of the actuator 260 may occur before or after closure of the gate.

During Opening In order to open the gate 300, the lock must be unlocked and any one or more of the lift knob 210, upper key-operated mechanism 230 or lower key-operated mechanisms can be employed to lift the actuator 260. As will be appreciated, the lift knob is at a height so as to be child-proof and the other mechanism(s) require a key or token which may be inserted to either the front or the rear of one of the key-operated mechanisms.

When the actuator 260 is lifted, the latch-repelling magnet 264 is brought into substantial alignment with the recess 222 and with the magnetic latch 110 which is accommodated therein. The repulsion between the latch-repelling magnet 264 and magnetic latch 1 0 ensures that the magnetic latch 110 moves to the retracted position (FIG 4). Further, it has been found that the repulsion also partially opens the gate. This gate opening repulsion can be further enhanced by U2011/000012

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carefully selecting the shape and orientation of the latch-repelling magnet 262. However, it has been found that the circular shaped latch-repelling magnet 262 is quite effective in partially opening the gate 300. SECOND (INTERNALLY-MOUNTED) EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 16 TO 20

As noted above, the actuator component 200 can be incorporated into the fence 400 and this internally-mounted arrangement is illustrated in FIGS 16-20. Optionally, the latching component 100 may be mounted such that the magnetic latch extends through the gate 300 and into the fence 400 as shown. Where the actuator component 200 is mounted within the fence post, the recess may be provided in the form of an aperture in the wall of the fence post. This alternative embodiment may be more aesthetically pleasing, but it is less suitable for retrofitting existing fences.

THIRD (INSIDE-MOUNTED) EMBODIMENT OF FIG 21 In an alternative embodiment, the components may be mounted on the inside of the fence 400 and outwardly-opening gate 300. In this embodiment, the flange 140 of the latching component 100 is omitted and in its place an alternative square flange plate is provided on the outside of the gate 300. Advantages of Embodiments 1-3 Relative to Prior Art

When compared to the prior art child-proof, latching assemblies of US Patent 5,362,116 and US Patent 7,100,405, embodiments 1-3 of the present invention have at least the following advantages: • Elimination of the complex "lost motion" design of the prior art reciprocating actuator.

• Elimination of the compression spring which biases the metal latch of the prior art to the upper, retracted position and which is in a compressed state when the gate is latched.

• The recess which receives the magnetic latch now faces horizontally rather than

vertically and is less likely to become blocked or fouled with debris or ice.

• Recesses are provided on opposing sides of the actuator component to accommodate left and right hand opening gates.

• Magnet-to-magnet attraction during closing of the gate ensures positive closure.

• Magnet-to-magnet attraction when latched reduces rattling or vibration of the gate. · Magnet-to-magnet repulsion during opening of the gate ensures positive opening

• The lock mechanism locks the actuator and therefore simultaneously locks both the lift knob and the key-operated mechanism(s).

• The key-operated mechanism(s) employ a rack and pinion design which is simple and reliable.

· The key-operated mechanism(s) have an auto-eject feature which ejects the key/token from the mechanism.

• The latching assembly is easy to manufacture via, for example, injection moulding techniques and is relatively lightweight and simple.

• The magnets are reversible or interchangeable to accommodate both left and right hand opening gates.

• The magnetic latch reciprocates horizontally and therefore is not influenced by gravity.

• The compression spring which biases the actuator to the lower latching position is relaxed when the gate is latched.

FOURTH (ROTARY ACTUATOR) EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 22-24

Whilst the above embodiments of the actuator component each comprise a pair of magnets mounted on a linearly-reciprocating actuator, the magnets might be moved through an arcuate or other non-linear path. 00012

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FIGS 22-24 illustrate a fourth embodiment in which the magnets move through an arcuate path. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use with doors such as screen doors. Referring to FIGS 22-24, there is illustrated a latch component 100 and an actuator component 200. In use, latch component 100 is mounted to the door frame and actuator component 200 is mounted to the door.

As with earlier embodiments, latch component 100 comprises a magnetic latch 110, which incorporates a magnet 112, and a housing 120 which mounts the magnetic latch 110 for reciprocation therein between a retracted position and an extended position in which the magnetic latch 110 extends outwardly from the latch component 100 and is received in the actuator component as will be described below.

Actuator component 200 comprises a handle 210 and square shaft 211 , a housing 220 which . includes a backing cover 224, and a rotary actuator 260 which mounts a latch-attracting magnet 262 and a latch-repelling magnet 264. The latch-attracting magnet 262 and latch-repelling magnet 264 are angularly offset relative to each other on the rotary actuator 260.

As can be readily seen, handle 210, square shaft 211 and rotary actuator 260 are keyed together for unified rotary motion. These three components can rotate relative to the housing 220 and backing 224 which accommodate the actuator 260.

In the fourth embodiment, the handle 2 0 is spring biased to a rotary position at which the latch- attracting magnet 262 is substantially aligned with the magnetic latch 110 such that the magnetic latch 110 is positively attracted into the recess 222 and the door is securely latched.

When the handle 210 is turned against the spring bias, then the latch-repelling magnet 264 is substantially aligned with the magnetic latch 110 and the magnetic latch 10 is repelled to its retracted position. The door can then be readily opened. When the door is again closed, and assuming that the handle 210 has been released to its original spring-biased orientation in which the latch-attracting magnet 262 is again aligned with the magnetic latch 110, magnetic latch 110 is once again attracted into the recess 222 such that the door is securely latched.

SECURITY DOOR EMBODIMENT (NOT ILLUSTRATED)

Whilst all of the above embodiments utilise a single latch component, there may be multiple latch components. For example, it is typical in the art of security doors for there to be three latches extending between the security door and door frame. In the prior art security doors, the latches are mounted in the security door and can extend into three cavities provided in the door frame.

In this embodiment, there would be three magnetic latches mounted in the door frame. A linearly-reciprocating actuator, with three pairs of magnets, would be mounted for linear reciprocation within the vertical edge of the security door. The actuator would be reciprocated in response to a key-operated mechanism. The key-operated mechanism would be mechanically linked to the actuator via, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism such as the rack and pinion mechanism illustrated in earlier embodiments.

Thus, the key-operated mechanism would reciprocate the actuator and would simultaneously cause the repulsion of all three magnetic latches such that the security door could be opened. In the alternative mode, all three magnetic latches would be simultaneously attracted into engagement with the security door.

This type of arrangement could also be used to selectively lock room-dividing panels in place. The panel could be moved into the desired location at which point multiple magnetic latches would be attracted into engagement with the panel. When it is desired to remove the panel, the actuator could be actuated (e.g. via a removable handle) and the panel would be

simultaneously released by all of the magnetic latches. U2011/000012

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SINGLE-MAGNET-PER-LATCH EMBODIMENT (NOT ILLUSTRATED!

Whilst all of the above embodiments utilise a pair of magnets for each magnetic latch, it is also conceivable that there is only one magnet for each latch, in which case the single magnet might be rotatable through 180 degrees to alternately attract and repel the magnetic latch, or the single magnet might be an electro-magnet with reversible polarity.

FIFTH (ALARM) EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 25-27

Referring to FIG 25, the latching assembly comprises a latch component 100 and an actuator component 200. As previously, the latch component 100 is typically mounted to a gate (not illustrated) and the actuator component is typically mounted to a fence post (not illustrated). As in earlier embodiments, the latch component 100 comprises a latch 110 which has a magnet 112 at its leading end, a housing 120 which accommodates the latch, a spigot 130 which guides the reciprocation of the latch within the housing, a flange 140 which abuts the actuator component 200 in use, and a bracket 150 which mounts the latch component 100 to the gate. The illustrated embodiment provides a high intensity LED 136 which is incorporated into the rear end-cap of the housing 120. The LED has a convex or cylindrical transparent cover such that the LED can be readily seen from a wide variety of angles.

The reciprocating latch 110 and magnet 112 are guided in their reciprocating motion on spigot 130 (compare FIGS 26 and 27).

Spigot 30 extends forwardly from a rear end-cap which seals the rear end of housing 120 and is comprised of alarm 136, batteries 134, and circuitry 132. A magnetic reed switch 133 is provided in the forward end of spigot 30. When the reciprocating latch 110 is in its forward latching position, the magnet 112 is spaced away from the switch 133 and the switch 133 is open (see FIG 26). However, when the latch 110 moves rearwardly away from the forward, latching position, then the magnet 112 moves into proximity with the switch 133 and the switch 133 is closed. In the preferred embodiment, the switch 133 is a magnetic reed switch which closes in response to the proximity of the magnet 112

Upon closure of the switch 133, an electrical circuit is completed and the batteries 134 provide power to circuitry 132. Circuitry 132 is designed to direct intermittent power to the high intensity LED 136 after a suitable delay. Hence, upon closure of the switch, there is firstly a delay, and thereafter the LED begins to flash on and off. The delay can be suitably tuned to meet requirements, but may be, for example, about 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds or 30 seconds. The batteries and circuitry for intermittently providing power to a LED is well known from, for example, bicycle tail lights and is not described in any further detail here. A small solar cell may be incorporated into the latch component 100 in order to provide stand-by power for the circuitry and/or to maintain battery charge. If the battery is low on charge, then a secondary alarm, preferably audible, may sound. This type of low-battery-charge alarm is well known from, for example, household smoke detectors.

The improvement of this embodiment resides in the provision of an alarm which is operative in response to the latch 110 moving away from the extended, latching position rather than in response to the failure of the gate to close as in the prior art (e.g. see US Patent 6,727,819 to Ko, US Patent 5,786,761 to Hui, and US Patent 5,473,310 to Ko).

In the present embodiment, there is a delay between the movement of the latch away from the extended, latching position and the initiation of the alarm. This ensures that the alarm does not inconveniently occur immediately whenever the gate is opened. Rather, the alarm only occurs when the gate is left unlatched for a predetermined period of time. This also serves to ensure a longer operating life for the battery which powers the alarm.

As mentioned above, the prior art solutions may be capable of detecting a failure of the gate to close. However, there is another less-recognised type of failure which is more difficult to detect. In some instances, the gate successfully reaches the closed position, but the latching system fails to deploy for some reason. This latter category of failure is especially dangerous as the gate is ostensibly closed and even close inspection may fail to reveal that the gate is not securely latched in the closed position. Advantageously, the present embodiment will detect this type of failure.

Further, the design of the present embodiment has the latch and the switch internally mounted within the latch component. This protects the switch from accidental or deliberate tampering. The product is, of course, designed to be sealed against the ingress of moisture into the latching component.

Whilst the alarm has been shown in the form of an LED, it may take other audible and/or visual forms. Whilst the alarm has been shown as being physically integrated into the latch component 110, the alarm may be located remotely from the latch component. In this case, the latch component may comprise a transmitter which transits to a remote alarm which is monitored by a security guard or the like. Whilst the preferred embodiment utilises a reciprocating magnet 112 and a magnetic reed switch 133, any other suitable switch which is responsive to latch movement may be used. For example, if the latch itself is electrically conductive, then the latch itself may act as part of the electrical circuit. Throughout this specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and its variations, such as "comprises" and "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia, nor that it would have been ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by the skilled person.

Claims

1. A latching assembly comprising:

a latch component comprising a magnetic latch; and

an actuator component comprising at least one magnet which is selectively configurable between a latching configuration in which the magnetic latch is, in use, attracted towards the actuator component and an unlatching configuration in which the magnetic latch is, in use, repelled away from the actuator component.

2. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnet comprises a latch-attracting magnet and a latch-repelling magnet.

3. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latch-attracting magnet and latch-repelling magnet are mounted in an angularly-offset arrangement on a rotary actuator.

· . - . . ^.

4. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latch-attracting magnet and latch-repelling magnet are mounted on an actuator which is mounted for reciprocation along an actuating axis between the latching configuration and the unlatching configuration.

5. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the latch-attracting magnet and latch-repelling magnet are reversibly or interchangeably mounted on the reciprocating actuator.

6. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the magnetic latch is mounted relative to the latch component for reciprocation along a latching axis, and wherein, in use, the latching axis is substantially orthogonal to the actuating axis.

7. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reciprocating actuator is spring- biased towards the latching configuration .

8. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator component further comprises a lock for locking the reciprocating actuator in the latching configuration.

9. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator component further comprises a key-operated mechanism for selectively moving the reciprocating actuator from the latching configuration to the unlatching configuration.

10. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the key-operated mechanism comprises a rack and pinion mechanism.

11. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator component further comprises a recess for, in use, receiving the magnetic latch.

12. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the actuator component comprises a second recess on an opposing side of the actuator component.

13. A latching assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the magnetic latch is operatively associated with an alarm which is configured to operate when the latch is not in a latching position for a pre-determined period of time.

14. A child-proof, automatically-latching gate and fence combination comprising a latching assembly as defined in any one of claims 4 to 13, and wherein the actuator component further comprises a lift knob for selectively moving the reciprocating actuator from the latching configuration to the unlatching configuration.

15. An actuator component suitable for use with a latch component comprising a magnetic latch, the actuator component comprising at least one magnet which is selectively configurable between a latching configuration in which the magnetic latch is, in use, attracted towards the actuator component and an unlatching configuration in which the magnetic latch is, in use, repelled away from the actuator component.

16. An actuator component as claimed in claim 1.5, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a latch-attracting magnet and a latch-repelling magnet.

17. An actuator component as claimed in claim 16, wherein the latch-attracting magnet and latch-repelling magnet are mounted in an angularly-offset arrangement on a rotary actuator.

18. An actuator component as claimed in claim 16, wherein the latch-attracting magnet and latch-repelling magnet are mounted on an actuator which is mounted for reciprocation along an actuating axis between the latching configuration and the unlatching configuration.

19. A latch component comprising:

a latch mounted for movement between a latching position and an unlatching position; and

an alarm operatively associated with the latch, the alarm configured to operate when the latch is not in the latching position for a pre-determined period of time.

20. A latch component as claimed in claim 19, wherein the latch comprises a magnet, and the latch component comprises a magnetic switch which is opened or closed in response to the position of the latch.