Slide Lock Device with Segmented Latch Plate for Child-Resistant Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door locking systems fail to effectively prevent young children from unlocking sliding doors, as they often provide easy access from the interior side, and lack simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
A slide lock device with a mounting plate, guide track, and latch plate system that includes handles for easy operation from both sides, ensuring the bolt engages with a receiver to lock the door, preventing displacement, and featuring a spacer plate for alignment and reduced thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a locking system provides easy access from the interior side for simple operation, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates as children can easily unlock the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the latch plate with guide track and bolt system) between the user and the locking function. The latch plate must be manually slid along a restricted path to engage or disengage the bolt, adding a mechanical intermediary step that prevents direct or accidental unlocking while maintaining intentional ease of use for adults
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to improve security, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases making it harder to operate and install
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: a mounting plate fixed to the door, a latch plate with integrated handle that slides along a guide track, a bolt mechanism, and a receiver in the frame. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply while collectively providing secure locking, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track and latch plate design enable the locking mechanism to self-regulate its movement. The latch plate automatically follows the predetermined path in the guide track, and the bolt engages or disengages automatically as the latch plate is slid, eliminating the need for complex control systems or multiple operating steps
3Reliability
If a robust locking system is designed to prevent children from opening doors, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The latch plate and guide track are designed with asymmetric geometry where the latch plate has a specific shape that must be inserted and slid in one direction along the track. This asymmetric design provides intuitive operation for adults while preventing children from figuring out the mechanism, as the asymmetric shape and restricted track path are not easily guessed or manipulated
Data Source
AI summary
A slide lock device is disclosed for preventing a panel from being displaced from an opening. The slide lock device comprises a latch plate and a mounting plate. A fastener traverses the latch plate and the mounting plate for slidably coupling the latch plate to a first side edge of the panel. A bolt extends from a lower edge of the latch plate. A bolt receiver is coupled to a first side structure of a surrounding structure. A lower stop surface of the mounting plate is adjacent to a lower termination surface of the latch plate for defining a non-locking position wherein the bolt may not engage with the bolt receiver for permitting displacement of the panel relative to the opening. An upper stop surface of the mounting plate is adjacent to an upper termination surface of the latch plate for defining a locking position therein the bolt engages with the bolt receiver upon the latch plate aligning with the bolt receiver for preventing the displacement of the panel relative to the opening.