Strike Plate with Segmented Body for Flush Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strike plates for spring-latch locks, particularly magnetic spring-latch locks, face difficulties in easy installation due to the need for precise machining of the support to accommodate the strike plate flush with the surface, and they often allow only limited axial alignment or offset positions, making them challenging to install in supports with narrow frames or limited depth, such as glazed doors and windows.

Innovation Solution

A strike plate design comprising a body divided into two parts, with one part having a tray-like structure and the other a hollow part with slots for lateral sliding, allowing diagonal screw insertion and adjustable positioning through spacers of different thicknesses, enabling flush installation and concealment of screws, and accommodating the spring latch in centered or off-centered positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the strike plate is fixed flush with the support surface using traditional machining methods, then the installation precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the difficulty of machining narrow and deep latch bores

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The strike plate body is divided into two separate parts: a first part that is inserted into the latch bore and a second part that closes the first part. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently with simpler machining operations, avoiding the need to machine the entire deep narrow bore in one piece, while still achieving precise flush installation when assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If spacers of different thicknesses are used to enable axial offset positioning, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers are designed with different thicknesses, creating an asymmetric configuration that allows the strike plate to be positioned at multiple axial locations (centered or offset) within the latch bore. This asymmetric design provides positioning flexibility without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, as the different spacer thicknesses naturally create the desired positional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the support depth is limited as in narrow frames, then the adaptability to different applications is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rangeVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses limited support depth by utilizing the radial dimension of the latch bore. The two-part body design with spacers allows adjustment in the radial direction (thickness of support) to accommodate shallow installations in narrow frames, while maintaining proper positioning through the combination of spacer thicknesses and slot-based adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Shape

If screws are concealed for aesthetic purposes, then the appearance is improved, but the reliability of fixing may deteriorate due to hidden fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidfixing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second part of the body acts as an intermediary element that conceals the screw heads while maintaining secure fixing. The slots in the second part allow screw heads to be positioned within the body structure rather than exposed on the surface, achieving aesthetic concealment while the slots provide adequate access for screw insertion and tightening to ensure reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The strike plate can be easily installed in various positions relative to the latch bore, including supports of limited depth, with concealed screws, and is structurally simple and cost-effective, facilitating alignment and secure fixing while allowing for easy adjustment during installation.

Implementation Method 1

the body that forms the accommodation seat for the spring latch has conveniently an accommodation chamber for a magnet for drawing back the spring latch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2878748B1Strike plate for spring-latch locks, of the type comprising a spring latch that engages a latch bore, particularly with a magnetic spring latch
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 ALBAN GIACOMO SPA
  • EP2878748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2878748B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8
  • EP2878748B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

A strike plate (10) for spring-latch locks, of the type comprising a spring latch (14) that engages a latch bore (13), particularly with a magnetic spring latch, to be associated with a support (12) constituted by a frame of a door or window or by a leaf. The strike plate (10) comprises a body (15), which forms an accommodation seat (16) for the spring latch (14) of the lock (11) and at least two longitudinally opposite engagement seats (19) for means (20) for fixing the body (15), such as screws or the like, and defining fixing directions (A) that are inclined with respect to an axis (B) of extension of the latch bore (13) in the support (12) in a mutually diverging manner. The body (15) is provided by mating two parts: - a first substantially tray-like part (17) to be fixed to the support (12) and provided with a protrusion (18) with the engagement seats (19), - a second part (21), which closes the first one and is substantially hollow in order to form the accommodation seat (16) and is provided with a slot (22), in a manner that corresponds to each engagement seat (19), for the insertion of the fixing means (20), the slot (22) being wider than the opening of the engagement seat (19).