Pivoting Latch Blocker for Keyless Emergency Door Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking mechanisms in public buildings often require keys, which may not be readily available during emergencies, and existing solutions are either complex, prone to damage, or require precise maintenance, making them ineffective in quickly securing or unsecuring doors against intruders or vandalism.
Innovation Solution
A door latch blocker system coupled to a strike plate via a vertical axis hinge, allowing the latch blocker to pivot and cover or expose the keeper hole, enabling easy and keyless operation to lock or unlock doors, with a design that is durable, maintenance-free, and easy to install, ensuring consistent activation force and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a key-based locking mechanism is used, then the door can be securely locked, but the door cannot be quickly opened during emergencies when keys are not available
Solution Approach 1:
A latch blocker plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the door and the latch mechanism. This plate can be manually positioned to either block or expose the keeper hole, serving as a mediator that controls latch engagement without requiring keys. The blocker acts as a simple mechanical intermediary that anyone can operate to secure or release the door.
2Reliability
If a complex locking system is used to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the system becomes prone to damage and requires precise maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two independent components: the existing latch mechanism and the added blocker plate. This segmentation allows the simple blocker plate to provide security control without complicating the original latch system. The blocker plate operates independently by simply blocking or exposing the keeper hole, avoiding the need for complex mechanical interlocks or multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocker plate is designed to be self-sufficient, requiring no maintenance, adjustment, or complex operation. It simply pivots into position to block the keeper hole or away to expose it, providing security through its own geometric configuration rather than through complex mechanical means. The design is inherently maintenance-free with no precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a latch blocker system is added to the strike plate, then keyless operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocker plate is merged with the strike plate assembly through a hinge connection, creating a unified component that adds keyless operation capability without requiring a separate standalone device. This integration allows the blocker to be operated in conjunction with the existing strike plate, combining multiple functions (latching and blocking) into a single integrated assembly that reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A door latch blocker safety strike plate has a strike plate, a latch blocker, and a hinge pivotally coupling the latch blocker to the strike plate. The strike plate has a generally planar plate and a curved section. The generally planar plate has spaced apart mounting holes, and a keeper hole adapted to operatively align with a keeper opening in a door jamb. The keeper hole is interposed between mounting holes. The latch blocker also has a generally planar plate and a curved section. The latch blocker pivots about the hinge through approximately 270 degrees to selectively cover the keeper, and thereby block the door bolt, or pivot away from and expose the keeper, to allow the door bolt to engage first with the strike plate and subsequently with the keeper.