LATCH ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A latch assembly includes a latch bolt module and a driving module. The latch bolt module includes a latch bolt cylinder, a latch bolt movably arranged on the latch bolt cylinder, a connecting plate connected to the latch bolt, and a linkage piece engaged with the connecting plate and formed with a notch. The driving module includes a driving plate abutting against the linkage piece, a driving member, and a housing having a first covering plate and a second covering plate. The first covering plate is formed with an extension structure bent relative to the first covering plate and passing through the notch. When the driving member is rotated, the driving plate is moved to drive the linkage piece to swing, such that the linkage piece drives the latch bolt to move relative to the latch bolt cylinder from an extended position to a retracted position through the connecting plate.

Claims

1. A latch assembly, comprising: a latch bolt module, comprising: a latch bolt cylinder; a latch bolt movably arranged on the latch bolt cylinder along an axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder; a connecting plate connected to the latch bolt; and a linkage piece engaged with the connecting plate and formed with a notch, wherein one end of the linkage piece is configured to abut against the latch bolt cylinder; and a driving module, comprising: a driving plate configured to abut against the linkage piece; a driving member formed with a driving shaft hole to allow a driving shaft to penetrate through; and a housing connected to the latch bolt cylinder and configured to accommodate the driving plate and the driving member, wherein the housing has a first covering plate and a second covering plate, one end of a main body of the first covering plate is formed with an extension structure bent at a predetermined angle relative to the main body of the first covering plate and configured to pass through the notch; wherein when the driving member is driven by the driving shaft to rotate, the driving plate is moved to drive the linkage piece to swing, such that the linkage piece is configured to drive the latch bolt to move relative to the latch bolt cylinder from an extended position to a retracted position through the connecting plate.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension structure comprises: a first extension section bent at the predetermined angle relative to the first covering plate; and a second extension section extended toward the latch bolt from the first extension section along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder.

3. The latch assembly of claim 2, wherein the first extension section is configured to pass through the notch and abut against a bottom of the notch.

4. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is between 2 degrees and 5 degrees.

5. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spindle-shaped spring sleeved on the extension structure and configured to abut against the latch bolt and the housing.

6. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting plate is formed with a V-shaped notch configured to be engaged with the latch bolt.

7. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting plate has a first side and a second side opposite to each other, the first side faces towards the driving plate and is formed with a protruded structure, and the second side is formed with a recessed structure.

8. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the second covering plate is formed with at least one groove, the driving plate has at least one first pushed structure and at least one second pushed structure configured to abut against the at least one groove; wherein when the driving member is located at a first driving position relative to the housing and when the driving member is rotated, the driving member is configured to push the first pushed structure to move the driving plate; wherein when the driving member is located at a second driving position relative to the housing and when the driving member is rotated, the driving member is configured to push the second pushed structure to move the driving plate.

9. The latch assembly of claim 8, further comprising an extension housing movably arranged on the housing and configured to move the driving member relative to the housing between the first driving position and the second driving position; wherein the housing is formed with at least one first positioning structure and at least one second positioning structure, the extension housing is formed with at least one extension positioning structure; wherein when the driving member is located at the first driving position relative to the driving plate, the first positioning structure is configured to be engaged with the extension positioning structure; wherein when the driving member is located at the second driving position relative to the driving plate, the second positioning structure is configured to be engaged with the extension positioning structure.

10. The latch assembly of claim 8, wherein the second covering plate is formed with an opening, a hole wall of the opening is formed with a guiding structure; wherein when the driving member is at an initial angle relative to the guiding structure, the driving member is movable between the first driving position and the second driving position relative to the housing; wherein when the driving member is not at the initial angle relative to the guiding structure, the driving member is configured to be blocked by the guiding structure to prevent the driving member from being moved between the first driving position and the second driving position relative to the housing.

11. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch bolt module further comprises: an anti-theft bolt movable relative to the latch bolt, the anti-theft bolt is formed with a rectangular groove; a blocking member formed with a rectangular opening; an anti-theft spring having two opposite ends respectively abutting against the anti-theft bolt and the blocking member; and a positioning pin having a rectangular cross-section corresponding to the rectangular groove and the rectangular opening, wherein the positioning pin is configured to pass through the rectangular opening; wherein when the anti-theft bolt is moved to a predetermined position relative to the latch bolt, the blocking member is configured to swing to prevent the latch bolt from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position relative to the latch bolt cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a latch assembly of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the latch assembly of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the latch assembly of the present invention before being extended.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the latch assembly of the present invention after being extended.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first covering plate of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first covering plate and a linkage piece of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first covering plate and the linkage piece of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second covering plate and the driving member of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first covering plate and the second covering plate of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connecting plate of the latch assembly of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an anti-theft mechanism of the latch assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a latch assembly of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the latch assembly of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the latch assembly of the present invention before being extended, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the latch assembly of the present invention after being extended. For convenience of illustrating internal structure of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention, the latch assembly 10 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is partially sectioned. As shown in the figures, the latch assembly 10 of the present invention comprises a latch bolt module 100 and a driving module 200. The latch bolt module 100 comprises a latch bolt cylinder 110, a latch bolt 120, a connecting plate 130, and a linkage piece 140. The latch bolt 120 is movably arranged on the latch bolt cylinder 110 along an axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110. The latch bolt 120 is movable between an extended position P1 and a retracted position P2 relative to the latch bolt cylinder 110. When a front end of the latch bolt 120 is located at the extended position P1, the latch bolt 120 is configured to be extended into a recess of a door frame (not shown in the figures) to prevent a door from being opened; when the front end of the latch bolt 120 is located at the retracted position P2, the latch bolt 120 is retracted into the latch bolt cylinder 110 to allow the door to be opened. The connecting plate 130 is fixedly connected to the latch bolt 120 to be synchronously moved with the latch bolt 120. The linkage piece 140 is engaged with the connecting plate 130, and the linkage piece 140 is formed with a notch 142. In addition, one end of the linkage piece 140 is configured to abut against the latch bolt cylinder 110. In the present embodiment of the present invention, one end of the linkage piece 140 is configured to abut against a recessed structure 112 of the latch bolt cylinder 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the latch bolt cylinder 110 can also be arranged with other types of structures (such as ribs) to abut against the end of the linkage piece 140.

[0028] On the other hand, the latch bolt module 100 can further comprise a fixing plate 150 and an elastic member 160. The fixing plate 150 is fixedly connected to the latch bolt cylinder 110, and configured to mount the latch assembly 10 on the door. The elastic member 160 is configured to provide an elastic force to push the latch bolt 120 to move toward the extended position P1.

[0029] The driving module 200 comprises a housing 210, a driving plate 220, and a driving member 230 (in the present embodiment of the present invention, the driving member 230 is composed of two driving units 230a, 230b, but the present invention is not limited thereto). The housing 210 is connected to the latch bolt cylinder 110. The housing 210 is configured to accommodate the driving plate 220 and the driving member 230. The housing 210 comprises a first covering plate 212 and a second covering plate 214 located at two opposite sides of the housing 210. The first covering plate 212 and the second covering plate 214 are respectively formed with an opening 213 and an opening 215. One end of a main body 212a of the first covering plate 212 is formed with an extension structure 216 configured to pass through the notch 142 of the linkage piece 140. The driving plate 220 is movably arranged on the housing 210 along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110, and one end of the driving plate 220 is configured to abut against the linkage piece 140. The driving plate 220 has at least one first pushed structure 222 and at least one second pushed structure 224 (in the present embodiment of the present invention, the driving plate 220 has two first pushed structures 222 and two second pushed structures 224, but the present invention is not limited thereto). The driving member 230 is formed with a driving shaft hole 232 and a driving structure 234. The driving shaft hole 232 is configured to allow a driving shaft (not shown in the figures) to penetrate through. The driving shaft is configured to be connected to an inner handle and an outer handle of the door. When a user turns the inner handle or the outer handle, the driving shaft is configured to drive the driving member 230 to rotate.

[0030] On the other hand, the driving module 200 further comprises an extension housing 240 movably arranged on the housing 210. The extension housing 240 is configured to move the driving member 230 between a first driving position D1 and a second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210. When the driving member 230 is located at the first driving position D1 relative to the housing 210 (as shown in FIG. 3), the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 corresponds to the first pushed structure 222 of the driving plate 220. When the driving member 230 is located at the second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210 (as shown in FIG. 4), the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 corresponds to the second pushed structure 224 of the driving plate 220.

[0031] When the driving member 230 is located at the first driving position D1 relative to the housing 210 and when the driving member 230 is rotated by the driving shaft, the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 is configured to push the first pushed structure 222 of the driving plate 220 in order to move the driving plate 220 away from the latch bolt cylinder 110 along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110; and when the driving member 230 is located at the second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210 and when the driving member 230 is rotated by the driving shaft, the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 is configured to push the second pushed structure 224 of the driving plate 220 in order to move the driving plate 220 away from the latch bolt cylinder 110 along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110. When the driving plate 220 is moved along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110, one end of the driving plate 220 is configured to pull the linkage piece 140, so as to swing the linkage piece 140 (along the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) by using the recessed structure 112 of the latch bolt cylinder 110 as the fulcrum. When the linkage piece 140 is swung, the linkage piece 140 is configured to pull the connecting plate 130 along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110, in order to further move the latch bolt 120 from the extended position P1 to the retracted position P2 relative to the latch bolt cylinder 110. As such, the user can open the door.

[0032] According to the above arrangement, the present invention provide a leverage mechanism between the driving plate 220, the linkage piece 140, and the connecting plate 130 to move the latch bolt 120, and a moving distance of the driving plate 220 is smaller than that of the connecting plate 130. Therefore, the latch assembly 10 of the present invention allows the user to retract the latch bolt 120 into the latch bolt cylinder 110 by turning the inner handle or the outer handle at a smaller angle. In addition, the extension housing 240 of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention can move the driving member 230 between the first driving position D1 and the second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210, such that the driving shaft hole 232 of the driving member 230 can correspond to positions of different handle installation holes on the door. In other words, the latch assembly 10 of the present invention can be applied to door panels with different lock backsets (installation distances from door edges).

[0033] On the other hand, when the user releases the inner handle or the outer handle, the inner handle or the outer handle is configured to be rotated back to the initial position. Moreover, since the elastic member 160 abuts against the latch bolt 120 and the housing 210, the elastic force of the elastic member 160 is configured to push the latch bolt 120 to move the latch bolt 120 from the retracted position P2 to the extended position P1.

[0034] Please refer to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, and refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 as well. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first covering plate 212 of the latch assembly of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first covering plate 212 and the linkage piece 140 of the latch assembly of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first covering plate 212 and the linkage piece 140 of the latch assembly of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the extension structure 216 of the first covering plate 212 comprises a first extension section 216a and a second extension section 216b. The first extension section 216a is bent at a predetermined angle A relative to the main body 212a of the first covering plate 212. The second extension section 216b is extended toward the latch bolt 120 from the first extension section 216a along the axial direction of the latch bolt cylinder 110. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined angle A is between 2 degrees and 5 degrees, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the predetermined angle A is between 3 degrees and 4 degrees.

[0035] The first extension section 216a of the extension structure 216 of the first covering plate 212 is configured to pass through the notch 142 of the linkage piece 140 and abut against a bottom 143 of the notch 142. A surface of the bottom 143 of the notch 142 is extended along a width direction of the first extension section 216a to increase a contact area between the bottom 143 of the notch 142 and the first extension section 216a. When the linkage piece 140 is swung, the design of the first extension section 216a abutting against the bottom 143 of the notch 142 can prevent the linkage piece 140 from shaking left and right relative to the first extension section 216a along a direction R. Moreover, the design of the first extension section 216a being bent relative to the main body 212a of the first covering plate 212 can increase the contact area between the first extension section 216a and lateral surfaces of the notch 142, in order to prevent the linkage piece 140 from shaking up and down when the linkage piece 140 is swung, so as to increase stability of the linkage piece 140 when being swung. In addition, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 160 is a spindle-shaped spring (as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4) sleeved on the extension structure 216 and configured to abut against the latch bolt 120 and the housing 210, in order to provide the elastic force to push the latch bolt 120 to move toward the extended position P1. Moreover, the design of the first extension section 216a of the first covering plate 212 being bent at the predetermined angle A relative to the main body 212a of the first covering plate 212 can allow a larger space to be formed between the second extension section 216b and the connecting plate 130 for accommodating the elastic member 160.

[0036] Please refer to FIG. 8, and refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 as well. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the second covering plate 214 and the driving member 230 of the latch assembly of the present invention. As shown in the figures, a hole wall of the opening 215 of the second covering plate 214 is formed with a guiding structure 217 corresponding to a lateral surface S of the driving unit 230a of the driving member 230. When the driving member 230 is at an initial angle relative to the guiding structure 217 (before the driving member 230 being rotated), the lateral surface S of the driving unit 230a is parallel to a surface of the guiding structure 217, such that the driving member 230 is movable between the first driving position D1 and the second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210. When the driving member 230 is not at the initial angle relative to the guiding structure 217 (after the driving member 230 being rotated), the driving unit 230a is configured to be blocked by the guiding structure 217 in order to prevent the driving member 230 from being moved between the first driving position D1 and the second driving position D2 relative to the housing 210.

[0037] According to the above arrangement, the position of the driving member 230 of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention is only adjustable when the driving member 230 is not rotated. Moreover, when the driving member 230 is rotated, the guiding structure 217 can increase the stability of the driving member 230 when being rotated.

[0038] Please refer to FIG. 9, and refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 as well. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first covering plate 212 and the second covering plate 214 of the latch assembly of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the second covering plate 214 is formed with at least one groove 218. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the second covering plate 214 is formed with two grooves 218, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first pushed structure 222 and the second pushed structure 224 of the driving plate 220 are configured to abut against the groove 218 of the second covering plate 214 (please also refer to FIG. 2). When the driving member 230 is rotated to push the driving plate 220, the groove 218 can increase stability of the driving plate 220 when being moved, in order to prevent the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 from being detached from the first pushed structure 222 or the second pushed structure 224 of the driving plate 220 due to poor assembly or component dimensional tolerances (for example, the groove 218 can prevent a gap from being formed between the first pushed structure 222 or the second pushed structure 224 and the second covering plate 214 during the rotation of the driving member 230, where the gap may cause the driving structure 234 of the driving member 230 to pass through the gap to be detached from the first pushed structure 222 or the second pushed structure 224 of the driving plate 220). In addition, the first covering plate 212 is formed with at least one first positioning structure 219a and at least one second positioning structure 219b (as shown in FIG. 9), and the extension housing 240 is formed with at least one extension positioning structure 241 (as shown in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment of the present invention, the first covering plate 212 is formed with two first positioning structures 219a and two second positioning structures 219b, and the extension housing 240 is formed with two extension positioning structures 242 (only one extension positioning structure 242 is shown in FIG. 2 due to the view angle), but the present invention is not limited thereto. When the driving member 230 is located at the first driving position D1 relative to the driving plate 220, the first positioning structure 219a is configured to be engaged with the extension positioning structure 242; and when the driving member 230 is located at the second driving position D2 relative to the driving plate 220, the second positioning structure 219b is configured to be engaged with the extension positioning structure 242. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning structures 219a and the second positioning structures 219b are recessed structures, and the extension positioning structures 241 are protruded structures, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0039] Please refer to FIG. 10, and refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 as well. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connecting plate 130 of the latch assembly of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the connecting plate 130 is formed with a V-shaped notch 132 configured to be engaged with the latch bolt 120. For example, the latch bolt 120 can be riveted to the V-shaped notch 132 of the connecting plate 130 through stamping, in order to increase connection strength and stability between the connecting plate 130 and the latch bolt 120. In addition, the connecting plate 130 has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The first side of the connecting plate 130 faces toward the driving plate 220 and is formed with a protruded structure 134 (as shown in FIG. 10), and the second side of the connecting plate 130 is formed with a recessed structure 136 (as shown in FIG. 2). The protruded structure 134 can reduce a contact area between the connecting plate 130 and the driving plate 220, so as to reduce friction between the connecting plate 130 and the driving plate 220 and increase structural strength of the connecting plate 130.

[0040] Please refer to FIG. 11, and refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 as well. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an anti-theft mechanism of the latch assembly of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the latch bolt module 100 can further comprise an anti-theft bolt 170, an anti-theft spring 172, a positioning pin 174, and a blocking member 176. The anti-theft bolt 170 is movable relative to the latch bolt 120, and the anti-theft bolt 170 is formed with a rectangular groove 171. The anti-theft spring 172 has two opposite ends configured to respectively abut against the anti-theft bolt 170 and the blocking member 176. The blocking member 176 is formed with a rectangular opening 177. The positioning pin 174 has a rectangular cross-section corresponding to the rectangular groove 171 of the anti-theft bolt 170 and the rectangular opening 177 of the blocking member 176, and the positioning pin 174 is configured to pass through the rectangular opening 177. When the anti-theft bolt 170 is moved to a predetermined position relative to the latch bolt 120 (when the anti-theft bolt 170 is pressed down relative to the latch bolt 120), the blocking member 176 is configured to swing to prevent the latch bolt 120 from being moved from the extended position P1 to the retracted position P2 relative to the latch bolt cylinder 110. The design of the positioning pin 174 with the rectangular cross-section of the present invention can increase stability of the anti-theft bolt 170 and the blocking member 176 during operation. On the other hand, the recessed structure 136 of the connecting plate 130 can increase moving space for the blocking member 176.

[0041] In contrast to the prior art, the latch bolt module 100 of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention has a leverage mechanism, which allows the user to open the door by turning the handle at a smaller angle. Moreover, the driving module 200 of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention can adjust the position of the driving shaft hole 232 of the driving member 230 to be applied to the door panels with different lock backsets. Moreover, the structure of the latch assembly 10 of the present invention is simple and has higher stability, which can avoid the problem that the latch assembly cannot operate normally due to poor assembly or component dimensional tolerances.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.