Gate Lockbox Latch for Dual-Side Deadbolt Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate latch designs often lack the ability to securely lock and unlock from both sides and require specific lock parts, leading to potential malfunction and limited compatibility with standard deadbolt locks.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal sliding latch with a gate lockbox that allows for the installation of a standard double cylinder deadbolt lock, enabling secure locking and unlocking from both sides, using a bolt latch that slides within an elongated casing and incorporates a perpendicular projection for the deadbolt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gate latch uses a thumb handle or cable to lift the latch bar for entry from one side, then entry from one side is enabled, but the pad lock cannot be unlocked from both sides and lacks dual-side accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The gate latch is designed with a universal mechanism that allows the same latch bar and housing structure to be operated from both sides of the gate. The actuator rod with elongated slots can be engaged by handles or other operating mechanisms from either side, making the latch system multi-functional and adaptable to different operating scenarios without requiring separate locking mechanisms for each side.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system separates the latching function (latch bar engagement) from the unlocking function (actuator rod movement). This segmentation allows different operating mechanisms to be applied to the actuator rod from either side of the gate, enabling dual-side accessibility while maintaining a single unified latch structure that secures the gate when engaged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gate latch uses keyable methods from both sides with a common residential side gate, then dual-side keyable entry is enabled, but it is limited to using that company's lock parts and lacks compatibility with standard deadbolt locks
Solution Approach 1:
The latch housing incorporates a standard deadbolt lock installation bore that accepts common industry-standard deadbolt locks. This universal compatibility allows users to choose from multiple manufacturers and models of deadbolt locks rather than being restricted to proprietary components, while still maintaining dual-side keyable entry capability through the latch's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system extracts the locking function into a separate, independently selectable deadbolt lock that can be installed in the housing's bore. This separation allows the latch mechanism itself to remain simple and compatible with standard deadbolts, while the locking security is provided by the user-chosen deadbolt, reducing overall system complexity and increasing component compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If a gate latch uses many different and connected parts for keyable entry from both sides, then dual-side keyable entry is achieved, but eventual malfunction or break is inevitable in short time span
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system extracts the complex keyable locking function into a separate, independently replaceable deadbolt lock component. This allows the simple, robust latch mechanism (latch bar, housing, actuator rod) to remain as the primary structure, while the more complex locking components are contained within the user-chosen deadbolt assembly that can be independently serviced or replaced if it malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the latching function from the locking function, with the latch bar providing the primary mechanical latching action using few simple parts, and the deadbolt lock providing secondary security with its own separate components. This segmentation means that if the deadbolt lock components experience wear or malfunction, only those specific components need replacement rather than the entire latch assembly.
4Device complexity
If manual sliding gate latches are used, then simple operation is achieved, but the option to install a double cylinder deadbolt lock with handles from both sides is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The latch housing is designed with a standard deadbolt lock installation bore and mounting provisions that enable the installation of a double cylinder deadbolt lock with handles on both sides. This maintains the simplicity of the manual sliding latch mechanism while adding the versatility of optional deadbolt lock installation for enhanced security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch housing is pre-configured with the necessary bore, mounting points, and structural support for deadbolt lock installation before the gate is assembled or before the deadbolt is installed. This preliminary preparation allows for easy integration of a double cylinder deadbolt lock without requiring modifications to the latch structure later, maintaining both simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment an elongated housing 12 in which a bolt latch 13 is manually moved through by of handles 20a and 20b connected to ends of an actuator rod 14; the actuator rod 14 is directly attached to the bolt latch 13; so that a user of this gate latch can actuate the sliding bolt latch 13 from both sides of the gate and lockbox casing 15 is adapted for mounting any standard double cylinder dead bolt lock 21 is adjacently attached to the side of the elongated housing 12 so the user can key turn the double cylinder dead bolt 21 and extending the deadbolt 18 into the elongated housing 12 engaging the notch 19 on the bolt latch 13 securing its movement and preventing entry from trespassers and having the convenience of locking or unlocking from either side of the hinged gate.