Door Latch with Segmented Mounting and Spring-Loaded Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current door latches are not secure against force application or tool insertion, and their installation often results in defacement of the door or door frame, making them unreliable for emergency situations and aesthetically unacceptable.
Innovation Solution
A door-securing latch system that uses one-way screws and articulated latch arms, allowing secure closure without defacement, and can be disabled by authorized individuals without damage, featuring a latch-pin track and baffle mechanism to prevent unauthorized access and easy installation without inner face defacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional door latches are installed using conventional mounting methods, then the latch provides basic security function, but the installation results in defacement of the door or door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a door-frame mount that attaches to the door frame, and a door-mounted component that attaches to the door. This segmentation allows each component to be mounted independently using methods that minimize defacement, such as surface mounting or using removable fasteners, while still providing secure latch functionality when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate mounting structures (such as surface-mounted plates or brackets) that act as mediators between the latch mechanism and the door/door frame. These intermediaries provide secure attachment points without requiring direct penetration or permanent modification of the door or door frame surfaces, thereby maintaining aesthetic integrity while ensuring reliable mounting.
2Strength
If the latch is designed to be highly secure against force application, then security is improved, but the complexity of the latch mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a latch arm that uses spring force as a counteracting force to resist external force application. The spring-loaded mechanism automatically engages the latch bolt with the strike plate, providing strong resistance to forced entry without requiring complex locking mechanisms. The spring force acts as a mechanical counterweight to external forces attempting to compromise the latch.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically respond to force application. The latch arm can flex under extreme force and automatically reset when the force is removed, providing continuous security without requiring complex mechanical structures. This dynamic design simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining high strength against force application.
3Reliability
If the latch uses secure mounting methods to prevent tool insertion, then security is improved, but the ease of installation for authorized individuals decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses asymmetric fastening mechanisms where the installation direction differs from the removal direction. For example, the fasteners may have a one-way engagement feature that allows easy insertion but requires a specific tool or technique for removal. This asymmetry provides security against tool insertion attempts while still allowing authorized individuals to install and remove the latch using the provided installation kit and instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent includes a pre-configured installation kit with all necessary components and instructions for proper installation. The mounting system is designed with pre-drilled holes, pre-assembled components, and clear marking templates that guide authorized individuals through the installation process. This preliminary preparation ensures that security features are properly implemented without making installation difficult, as long as the provided guidelines are followed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include door-securing latches that allow an occupant of a room or other space accessed through a door to secure the door, from inside the room or other space, in order to prevent entry or access by others. Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanically strong and secure latch that cannot be easily broken or compromised by application of force to the door or by insertion of a tool or device between the door and an adjacent door frame to disable the latch, but that can be disabled by a knowledgeable individual, such as an apartment manger seeking to rescue a disabled apartment occupant in an emergency situation.