DOOR ROD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A door rod assembly for multi-point latch uses. The desire in the use of this door rod assembly is to essentially air seal a cabinet or closing from exposure to the air. Such air can include dust, dirt, noxious chemical fumes and the like. The devices seal cabinets, rooms, or the like from such contaminants. Assembly of the rod assembly is facilitated by the novel rod guide utilized in the assembly.

Claims

1. A door rod assembly, said door rod assembly comprising in combination: A. a latch base, said latch base comprising a flat metal elongated plate having two ends with edges, said elongated plate having a centered opening therethrough for insertion of a door opening handle, each said end having second openings therethrough near each said edge, said latch base having a locking bar integrally attached perpendicular thereto at a side edge; B. each said second opening having a bolt therethrough, each said bolt rotatably securing a rod adapter to said latch base, each said rod adapter having an attachment end and a rod receptor end, there being an elongated rod inserted in each said rod receptor end; C. each said rod having a ramp shoe enclosing a rod end opposite said inserted rod end; D. two rod guides, each said rod guide mounted on a rod guide base, each said rod guide base fixedly attachable to a fixed stud in a door, a portion of said rod guide insertable in, and held by, said rod guide base, each said rod slidable in said rod guide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0019] FIG. 1A is a schematic of the door rod assembly of this invention minus the lower rod and associated components.

[0020] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1A.

[0021] FIG. 1C is a stud that is used in a door, the Figure showing the approximate location of the stud behind the rod guide base.

[0022] FIG. 2A is a full side view of a rod guide of this invention.

[0023] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 2A.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a full front view of a rod guide base.

[0025] FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 3A.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a full side view of a ramp shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 1A, there is shown a door rod assembly 1 of this invention minus the lower rod and associated components, which are a duplication of the assembly starting from the top of the latch base.

[0028] There is shown a latch base 8 which is comprised of a flat metal elongated plate 9 having a centered opening 10. This centered opening 10 is for the insertion of a door opening handle 11 (the tail end of which is shown), inserted into the opening 10 from the opposite side of the latch base 8. Use of this handle facilitates the locking, unlocking, and opening of the door (the door is not part of this invention).

[0029] Shown in dotted lines is a side door frame 12, against which the locking bar 13 of the latch base 8 snugly rests when the door is locked.

[0030] On either end of the latch base 8 are openings 14 near the edge. The openings have bolts 15 inserted therein to rotatably couple the rod adapter 7 to the latch base 8. The rod adapter 7 contains a rod 5, which extends some length to accommodate the distance between the latch base 8 in the locked position and the frame of the door, taking into consideration the length of the ramp shoe 2. The ramp shoe 2 is configured such that when the assembly 1 is open (the door is latched and locked), the ramp shoe 2 fits over the edge 18 of the top door frame 21 and secures the top of the door to the door frame.

[0031] In order to control and guide the rod 5, there is used a rod guide 3. The rod 5 slides through said rod guide 3. The rod guide 3 is attached to a rod guide base 4, which in turn is fastened to a door using a stud 16 (FIG. 1C). The rod guide 3 has an elongated tip 17 that rests against the side of the rod guide base 4 and prevents the rod 5 and associated assembly to move in a sidewise fashion.

[0032] The rod guide base 4 is secured to the door with a nut 24. The rod guide 3 is slidable unto the rod guide base 4 and locks into place. The rod guide 3 is configured with integrated locking barbs 22 (see FIG. 3B) to receive rod guide 3 within retaining grove 23 (see FIG. 2B).

[0033] It is believed by the inventor herein, that the rod guides 3 are critical to the successful operation of the door rod assembly 1, as they prevent the sideways movement of the rod 5 and, further, they present a low friction movement of the rod through them to facilitate the smooth movement of the rod. In addition, the slide and lock feature allow the pre-assembled rod assembly to be placed on the door without having to incrementally construct the rod-assembly on the door. This is an efficient mode of manufacturing the door rod assembly. Nowhere in the prior art is there a disclosure of a door rod assembly attached to the door in which it is used in this manner.

[0034] It should be noted that a duplicate assembly is attached to the bottom of the latch base 8, and the rod adapter 7 and a portion of the rod 5 are shown in FIG. 1A.

[0035] FIG. 2A is a full side view of the rod guide 3 showing the tip 17 and the opening 19 through which the rod 5 slides (shown in phantom).

[0036] FIG. 3A is a full front view of the rod guide base 4 showing an opening 20 which receives the stud 16 (FIG. 1B) for mounting said rod guide base 4 to a door.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a full side view of a ramp shoe 2 showing a rod 5 inserted therein.

[0038] When assembled on a door, the door rod assembly 1 operates by turning the outside handle 11. This in turn moves the latch base 8 horizontal, which causes the latch 13 to be vertical (out of the path of the side door frame 12, and each rod adapter rotates such that the top rod assembly moves down and releases the ramp shoe 2 from the top door frame and the bottom rod assembly moves upward and causes the ramp shoe 2 on the bottom to release from the door frame 21.

[0039] Upon closing and locking the door, the reverse operation ensues. This creates a seal for the door against the door frame.