Retrofittable Child Safety Lock with Tongue-and-Groove Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety locks for cupboards and cabinets are difficult for adults to correctly install and ensure proper functionality, while also being easily accessible by adults but not by children.
Innovation Solution
A retrofittable safety lock system that includes a rail attachment member with a large attachment surface for secure adhesion to the cupboard frame, a latch part with a tongue and groove mechanism for secure attachment, and a catch member for easy operation by adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-piece assembly with longitudinal member and hook portion is used, then child safety locking function is achieved, but installation complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock is divided into separate components: a longitudinal member with hook portion attached to the cupboard door, and a latch member attached to the cupboard frame. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and adjusted, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining the reliable child safety locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to be movable relative to the cupboard frame, allowing it to be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability enables adults to easily adjust the lock to accommodate different cupboard configurations and opening forces, simplifying installation while ensuring reliable child safety.
2Ease of operation
If latch is positioned for easy adult operation from above, then adult accessibility is improved, but child safety effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member can be moved to different positions along the cupboard frame and adjusted to different heights. This dynamic positioning allows the latch to be optimally positioned for adult operation (e.g., within easy reach from above) while maintaining effectiveness against children through proper spacing and engagement characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member's position parameters (location, height, spacing from the hook) can be adjusted to optimize both adult accessibility and child safety effectiveness. By changing these parameters, the system achieves easy adult operation without compromising child safety.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesive fixation is used for retrofitting, then installation simplicity is improved, but fixation reliability and correctness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the fixation function from the locking function. The longitudinal member and latch member can be attached using adhesive to the cupboard door and frame respectively, providing simple installation. The separate attachment points allow for reliable fixation without compromising the locking mechanism's reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A child safety lock for a cupboard or drawer comprising a movable door or drawer and a fixed frame member, the safety lock comprising: a latch member, rail attachment member, a fixing screw and a catch member, the latch part to be fitted on a surface of the fixed frame member, by means of the rail attachment member and the fixing screw; the latch member including a laterally extending tongue, and the rail attachment member including a groove housing comprising a receiving groove to receive the tongue by sliding the tongue into the groove thus retaining the latch part and the rail attachment means together, and a through hole centrally in the tongue such that when tongue is located in the groove the fixing screw may be screwed through the through hole and into the groove housing this securing the latch part to the rail attachment member, the safety lock also including a C-shaped clamp with opposing clamp sides and a connecting base to fit around the fixed frame member and the rail attachment means.