Latch with adjustable cam

Abstract

The present invention provides a latch (1) for mounting on a door (2) and locking the door relative to a door frame (3). The latch includes: an attachment (10) configured to be mounted on the door; a latch shaft (20) extending from the attachment; and a cam (30) mounted on the latch shaft; wherein, when the latch is mounted on the door, the latch shaft is rotatable relative to the door to allow the cam to rotate between an open position and a closed position, in which the door is open relative to the door frame and in the closed position, the door is locked to the door frame. The cam (30) can be in an open or locked state, and when the cam is in the open state, the axial position of the cam on the latch shaft (20) is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a latch for a door, and more particularly to a latch for a door with an adjustable cam. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional latches for doors typically have custom measurements to fit a specific door, meaning the latch is tailored to the specific distance between the door and the door frame when the door is closed. The latch is also usually configured to fit the specific thickness of the door.

[0003] Depending on the door's thickness and the offset distance between the door and its frame, different doors with varying measurements require specific latch arrangements. The need to customize latches to fit specific door arrangements necessitates the production of many different latches for closing, opening, and locking the door. This presents a problem: producing many different latches for different doors is costly and time-consuming.

[0004] Therefore, a more efficient and flexible system is needed to provide door latches that can be installed on doors of different sizes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide an improved solution that mitigates the aforementioned drawbacks of existing devices. Furthermore, the object is to provide a latch for doors that is adaptable to different door arrangements in an efficient manner. That is, to form a more robust connection between the door frame and the door without requiring the latch device to be sized specifically for doors with different measurements and for doors and door frames with different offset distances. Therefore, by providing a latch with an adjustable cam, manufacturing time and costs can be reduced due to the omnidirectional solution. The adjustable latch also provides a suitable solution for many types of doors. The invention is defined by the appended independent claims, and embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a latch is provided for mounting on a door and locking the door relative to a door frame. The latch includes: an attachment configured to be mounted on the door; a latch shaft extending from the attachment; and a cam mounted on the latch shaft; wherein, when the latch is mounted on the door, the latch shaft is rotatable relative to the door to rotate the cam between an open position and a closed position, in which the door is open relative to the door frame, and in the closed position, the door is locked to the door frame. The cam can be in an open or locked state, and when the cam is in the open state, the axial position of the cam on the latch shaft is adjustable.

[0007] When the cam is in the open position, its axial position is adjustable, meaning that the cam's position relative to the latch shaft, more specifically along the latch shaft, can be adjusted. When the desired position is reached, the latch cam can be brought to the closed position and thus secured in place, where the latch is tightened to perform its intended function. When the cam is in the closed position, it can be fixed relative to the latch shaft in both axial and rotational senses. In the open position, the cam can be adjusted at least axially relative to the latch shaft. The fact that the cam has open and closed states can mean that the cam itself can be structurally or functionally altered to enter both states. A portion of the cam can be moved, operated, or manipulated to bring the cam to the closed position to fix its axial position, or to the open position to enable axial adjustment of the cam.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the cam includes an openable cam lock, wherein when the cam lock is in the unlocked position, the cam is in an open state and axially movable relative to the latch axis, and when the cam lock is in the locked position, the cam is in a locked state and axially fixed relative to the latch axis. A user can operate the cam lock to bring the cam to an open or closed position. Therefore, the cam lock can adjust the axial position of the cam to fit the arrangement of a door and door frame. The cam lock provides easy operation to bring the cam to a locked or open state.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the cam may include an opening through which the latch shaft is configured to extend. The width of the opening is reduced when the cam lock is in the locked position compared to its unlocked position.

[0010] The advantage of the above embodiment is that the distance between the cam and the attachment is adjustable, allowing attachment to doors with different arrangements relative to the door frame without requiring separate latches of specific sizes for each door and door frame arrangement. Another advantage is that the latch shaft can be assembled manually without any effort.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the cam may include a locking slit extending from the opening to the cam lock. The cam lock may be configured as a snap-lock. The locking slit allows for easier closure of the cam lock and provides a more secure engagement when the latch axis is engaged.

[0012] According to another embodiment, in the locked position, the cam lock can be configured to compress a portion of the cam on the corresponding side of the lock slit to at least partially close the lock slit.

[0013] The lock slit can be provided with two arms on the corresponding sides of the lock slit, extending from the opening toward the cam lock. These two arms provide a wide range of flexibility for widening or narrowing the opening. A widened opening can facilitate the assembly and adjustment of the cam on the latch shaft. When the cam lock is locked, the two arms can be pressed against each other, thereby reducing the lock slit.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cam may include at least one additional slit extending from the opening. The additional slit can provide a flexible latch opening size, thereby further improving the function of the cam lock in fixing the axial position of the cam when in the locked position.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the latch shaft may include a plurality of axially spaced notches, wherein the cam may include at least one protrusion on the inner surface of the opening, the at least one protrusion being configured to interact with at least one of the notches when the cam is in a locked state. The shape of the protrusion may be determined to effectively interact with the notches. The protrusion may extend radially from the inner surface toward the center of the opening. When the cam is in a locked state, the protrusion may interact with the notches in such a way that the cam is axially fixed relative to the latch shaft. When the cam is in an open state, the cam may be axially moved along the latch shaft to align with any of the notches. By having a protrusion on the inner surface of the cam's opening and by spreading the plurality of notches axially along the latch shaft, the cam can be in its locked state by axially fixing the cam relative to the latch shaft in a plurality of axial positions (corresponding to the number of axially spaced notches on the latch shaft).

[0016] According to another embodiment, the plurality of notches can be arranged as a first segment, wherein the notches are axially spaced and circumferentially aligned along the circumference of the latch shaft. Thus, the notches in the first segment can be arranged in a row extending longitudinally along the latch shaft. All the notches in the first segment can be configured to interact with a common protrusion, thereby providing different axial positions of the cam along the latch shaft. The latch shaft can further include an additional second notch segment comprising a plurality of axially spaced notches circumferentially aligned along the circumference of the latch shaft. The notches of the two segments can be further circumferentially separated. The cam can further include at least two protrusions on the inner surface of the opening, at positions along the circumference of the opening corresponding to the circumferential positions of the first and second notch segments. By having two or more notch segments along the circumference of the latch shaft configured to interact with two or more corresponding protrusions on the cam, the cam can be more stably secured along the latch shaft when it is in the locked position.

[0017] These notches can be formed as generally semi-elliptical, hemispherical, rectangular, or any other shape suitable for receiving one or more protrusions of the corresponding shape on the cam.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the latch may include an opening in the cam that is circular in shape with a cut-off portion, and the latch shaft may have a circular cross-sectional shape with a cut-off portion. The latch of this embodiment may have the advantage of providing a secure fastening of the latch shaft, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft relative to the cam. The cross-sectional shape of the latch shaft may correspond to the shape of the opening in the cam. Preventing rotation of the cam relative to the latch shaft further ensures that any protrusions on the inner surface of the opening align with a notch on the latch shaft.

[0019] In one embodiment, the attachment may include an indicating device to indicate the direction of the cam. This direction may be the same as the direction of the cut-off portion of the opening in the latch shaft and the cam. The indicating device can provide the advantage of indicating the position of the cut-off portion, which facilitates the installation of the latch lock.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the latch, at least one protrusion at the inner surface of the opening in the cam can be arranged on the cut-off portion of the opening, and a first recessed segment on the latch shaft can be arranged on the cut-off portion of the latch shaft. The interaction between the originally circular latch shaft and the protrusion and recess on the cut-off portion of the opening can provide improved interaction functionality between the two components.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cam can extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the latch axis. The cam can extend in a first portion and a second portion in said direction. The first portion can be configured to attach to the latch axis, and the second portion can be configured to interact with the door frame during use, in the closed position. The second portion can be offset from the first segment in the longitudinal extension direction of the latch axis. The offset portion of the embodiment can provide the option to use the latch cam in a reverse direction, thereby producing another variation in distance, thus allowing for a wider range of different embodiments of the door and door frame.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the latch may include a cam that includes a retaining protrusion at an end portion of its configuration to interact with a door frame when in use and in a closed position, the retaining protrusion being configured to interact with a corresponding opening or recess that may be provided in the door frame.

[0023] The recess or opening can be designed to interact flexibly with the retaining protrusion, allowing the interaction to provide a secure locking or closing of the door. Secure locking or closing means providing the user with visual, tactile, or audible confirmation that the door is closed / locked. The interaction between the retaining protrusion and the recess or opening on the door frame can further prevent the latch from unintentionally rotating from the closed position to the open position of the door.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, a door arrangement is provided, the door arrangement including a door frame, a door operable relative to the door frame, and a latch according to any of the above embodiments. The door arrangement can be configured to allow the door to open relative to the door frame when in an open position or to prevent the door from opening relative to the door frame when in a closed position. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A perspective view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 A perspective view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 3 A side view of a latch arranged to a door and a door frame according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 A side view of a latch arranged to a door and a door frame according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A cross-sectional side view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A perspective view of a cam according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 7 A perspective view of a cam according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 8a A top view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 8b A top view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 9 A perspective view of the latch shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 10 A perspective view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 11 A cross-sectional side view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0038] Figure 12 A perspective view of a cam according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0040] Figure 1 A latch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The latch 1 includes an attachment 10, a latch shaft 20, and a cam 30. The attachment 10 is configured to attach the latch 1 to a door 2. The attachment 10 includes a resilient flange 12 that secures the latch 1 to the door when the latch 1 has been positioned to the door 2. When the latch 1 is positioned to the door 2, the attachment 10 is pressed through a hole in the door 2, causing the resilient flange 12 to be pressed inward toward the center of the attachment 10. After the resilient flange 12 passes through the hole in the door 2, these resilient flanges pop out to their initial position, thereby preventing the attachment 10 from being removed from the hole. The attachment 10 further includes an attachment ring 14. When the attachment 10 is positioned to the door 2, the attachment ring 14 is positioned on the outside of the door 2, while the resilient flange 12 is positioned on the inside of the door 2. The attachment ring 14 and the resilient flange 12 together secure the attachment 10 and the latch 1 to the door 2. The attachment ring 14 includes an indicator 16 that shows the direction of the cam 30. The attachment 10 further includes an actuator device 18. This actuator device may be a keyhole, handle, tool actuator, etc., configured to be operated by a user to rotate the latch 1.

[0041] Latch shaft 20 is attached to attachment 10. Latch shaft 20 and latch shaft 10 are fixed relative to each other in a rotational sense. Therefore, when the actuator device 18 is operated to rotate the latch 1, latch shaft 20 also rotates. The cross-section of latch shaft 20 is circular with a cut-out portion 22. Latch shaft 20 extends in the longitudinal direction X.

[0042] Cam 30 extends in a direction Y perpendicular to direction X. Cam 30 includes an opening 37 through which latch shaft 20 extends. Cam 30 can be operated using cam lock 33. Cam lock 33 can be opened and closed back and forth between an open position and a closed position. Opening 37 is smaller in the closed position than in the open position. Therefore, when cam lock 33 is in the closed position, latch shaft 20 extending through opening 37 is locked relative to cam 30.

[0043] A locking slit 35 extends from an opening 37 to a cam lock 33. The locking slit 35 has two arms on its respective sides extending from the opening 37 toward the cam lock 33. In the closed position, the cam lock 33 presses the two arms together, thereby reducing the width of the locking slit 35. To provide a flexible opening 37 size when the cam lock 33 is closed or open, the cam 30 includes one or more additional slits 36 extending from the opening 37. The additional slits 36 may extend toward the edge of the cam 30.

[0044] The cam lock 33 is set in the form of a snap-lock. For example... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As further illustrated, the cam lock 33 includes a hook member 331 configured to engage with the latch member 332 when the cam lock 33 is in the closed position. The hook member 331 is disposed on a lip member 335, which is connected to the remainder of the cam 30 via a hinge 333. The hinge 333 may be formed from a material of a certain thickness of the cam 30 to provide the desired hinged function. The cam lock 33 further includes a stop member 334 disposed behind the lip member 335. The stop member 334 is configured to prevent the lip member 335 from being moved away or opened too far, which would otherwise damage the cam lock 33 or cause interference with other parts of the door arrangement.

[0045] The opening 37 is a circle with a flattened portion 39. This shape of the opening 37, combined with the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the latch shaft 20, fixes the latch shaft 20 relative to the cam 30 in a rotational sense, and allows the latch shaft to be inserted into the opening 37 only in a predetermined rotational position.

[0046] The latching shaft 20 includes at least one recessed segment. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching shaft 20 includes three recessed segments 24a, 24b, and 24c. Each recessed segment 24a, 24b, and 24c includes a plurality of recesses. These recesses in the recessed segments 24a, 24b, and 24c are axially separated along the longitudinal direction X of the latching shaft 20. These recesses may be axially separated but are arranged axially adjacent to each other. The recesses of the recessed segments 24a, 24b, and 24c extend along a common portion of the circumference of the latching shaft 20. The recesses of the recessed segments 24a, 24b, and 24c are separated from the recesses of another recessed segment 24a, 24b, and 24c along the circumference of the latching shaft 20. The first recessed segment 24a is arranged on a cut-off portion of the latching shaft 20.

[0047] The cam 30 includes one or more protrusions 38 on the inner surface of the opening 37. The number of protrusions 38 corresponds to the number of recessed sections 24a, 24b, 24c on the latch shaft 20. Each protrusion 38 is elongated along the circumference of the opening 37. Each protrusion 38 extends along a portion of the circumference of the opening 37. In the presence of several protrusions 38a, 38b, 38c, these protrusions are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the opening 37. One protrusion 38a is arranged on the cut-off portion 39 of the opening. All protrusions 38a, 38b, 38c are arranged at a common axial height in the opening 37.

[0048] The cam 30 includes a first portion 31 with an opening 37 at which a latch shaft 20 extends. The cam further includes a second portion 32 that interacts with the door frame 3 when the latch is engaged with the door 2 and in the closed position. The cam 30 extends in a direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the latch shaft 20. The second portion 32 of the cam 30 is offset from the first portion 31 in the direction X.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As seen, the axial position of the cam 30 can be adjusted along the latch axis 20, allowing the latch 1 to be adapted to door frames 3 of different sizes and configurations. Different latch configurations are required depending on the distance between the door surface of the door 2 and the door frame surface that the cam is intended to abut against when the door 2 is closed. By adjusting the axial position of the cam 30, the same latch 1 can be used for different door and door frame configurations.

[0050] Furthermore, because the second portion 32 of the cam 30 is offset and the cam can be inverted relative to the latch shaft 20, the range of possible door and door frame configurations to which the latch 1 can be applied is further increased. For example... Figure 3 As seen, cam 30 is in its most extended axial position, and cam 30 is inverted to an arrangement that provides the longest possible distance between door 2 and door frame 3. Figure 4 In this configuration, the cam 30 is positioned closest to the attachment 10 in an axial position, and the cam is inverted to an arrangement in which the second part 32 is inverted toward the door 2, thereby providing the shortest possible distance between the door 2 and the door frame 3.

[0051] Regardless of whether the second portion 32 is offset from the first portion 31, a retaining protrusion 34 may be included on the second portion 32 of the cam 30, at the end of the cam 30. For example, in Figure 10 As further seen, the retaining protrusion 34 is designed to interact with the opening 4 on the door frame 3. When the latch 1 is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion interacts with the opening, thereby preventing the latch 1 from undesirably moving to the open position.

[0052] Figure 11A latch 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein a cam 30 extends vertically relative to a latch shaft 20. Therefore, the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 of the cam are not offset relative to each other.

[0053] Figure 12 A cam 30 according to an embodiment is shown, wherein the cam 30 includes a recess 51. The recess extends along at least a portion of a second portion 32 of the cam 30. The recess 51 may further extend over a transition portion between the second portion 32 and the first portion 31. The depth of the recess 51 at the second portion may be approximately half the thickness of the cam 31 at the second portion 32. At the extension recessed at the transition portion, the depth of the recess may gradually decrease in the direction toward the first portion 31. The recess 51 may improve the properties of the cam 30 during manufacturing, such as preventing deformation or shrinkage. This may further provide stability to the cam 30.

[0054] Preferred embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in the accompanying drawings and description, and although specific terminology has been used, it is used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes, and the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A latch (1) for mounting on a door (2) and for locking the door relative to a door frame (3), the latch comprising: Attachment (10), which is configured to be placed on the door; Latch shaft (20) extending from the attachment; A cam (30) arranged on the latch shaft includes an opening (37) through which the latch shaft (20) is configured to extend; When the latch is positioned on the door, the latch shaft (20) can rotate relative to the door, causing the cam (30) to rotate between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the door can be opened relative to the door frame, and in the closed position, the door is locked to the door frame. The cam is in an open or locked state, and when the cam is in the open state, the axial position of the cam (30) on the latch shaft (20) is adjustable. The cam (30) includes an openable cam lock (33), wherein the cam is in the open state when the cam lock is in the unlocked position, and the cam is in the locked state when the cam lock is in the locked position. The cam (30) includes a locking slit (35) extending from the opening (37) to the cam lock (33). In the locked position of the cam lock (33), the cam lock is configured to press the portion of the cam (30) on the corresponding side of the lock slit (35) to at least partially reduce the lock slit, such that the width of the opening is reduced compared to the unlocked position of the cam lock (33).

2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein, The cam (30) includes at least one additional slit (36) extending from the opening (37).

3. The latch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The latch shaft (20) includes a plurality of axially spaced recesses (24), and wherein the cam (30) includes at least one protrusion (38) on the inner surface of the opening (37), the at least one protrusion being configured to interact with at least one of the recesses when the cam is in the locked state.

4. The latch according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of notches are arranged in a first section (24a), wherein the notches are axially separated and circumferentially aligned along the circumference of the latch axis (20). The latching shaft further includes additional second notch sections (24b, 24c), each notch section comprising a plurality of axially spaced notches circumferentially aligned along the circumference of the latching shaft. The notches of the two sections (24a, 24b, 24c) are circumferentially separated. The cam (30) includes at least two protrusions (38a, 38b, 38c) on the inner surface of the opening (37) at positions corresponding to the circumferential positions of the notched sections along the circumference of the opening.

5. The latch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The opening (37) in the cam (30) is circular with a flattened portion (39), and the cross-sectional shape of the latch shaft (20) is circular with a flattened portion (22).

6. The latch according to claim 5, wherein, At least one protrusion (38a) at the inner surface of the opening (37) in the cam (30) is arranged on the cut-out portion (39) of the opening, and a first recessed section (24a) on the latch shaft (20) is arranged on the cut-out portion (22) of the latch shaft.

7. The latch according to claim 4, wherein, The cam (30) extends in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (X) of the latch shaft (20). The cam extends in the first part (31) and the second part (32) along the said direction. The first portion is configured to attach to the latch shaft, and the second portion is configured to interact with the door frame (3) during use, when in the closed position. The second portion extends longitudinally along the latch axis in a direction (X) that is offset from the first segment.

8. The latch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cam (30) includes a retaining protrusion (34) at its end portion, which is configured to interact with the door frame (3) when in use and in the closed position, the retaining protrusion being configured to interact with a corresponding opening or recess (4) in the door frame.

9. The latch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When in the locked state, the cam (30) is fixed in the axial direction relative to the latch shaft (20).

10. A door arrangement comprising a door frame (3), a door (2) openable relative to the door frame, and a latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the door arrangement being configured to enable the door to open relative to the door frame when in the open position, or to prevent the door from opening relative to the door frame when in the closed position.

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