Reversible non-handed latch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017198501-A1
Application number	US-201715400324-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 6, 2017
Priority date	Jan 11, 2016
Publication date	Jul 13, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A latch assembly with a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate. The assembly includes a first latch holder extending from the first mounting plate. A second latch holder is provided that extends from the second mounting plate. The assembly includes a latch arm including a first portion and a second portion. The latch arm is movable between an unlatched position and a latched position and is selectively reversible to be pivotally connected to either the first latch holder or the second latch holder.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A latch assembly comprising:
a first mounting plate; a second mounting plate; a first latch holder extending from the first mounting plate; a second latch holder extending from the second mounting plate; a latch arm movable between an unlatched position and a latched position; and wherein the latch arm is selectively reversible to be pivotally connected to either the first latch holder or the second latch holder.

2 . The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the latch arm is selectively reversibly such that: (1) the first portion is pivotally connected to the first latch holder while the second portion is proximate the second latch holder when the latch arm is in the latched position; and (2) the first portion is pivotally connected to the second latch holder while the second portion is proximate first latch holder when the latch arm is in the latched position.

3 . The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first latch holder includes a wall spaced apart from and approximately parallel with the first mounting plate and the latch arm is configured to be pivotally connected to the wall of the first latch holder and/or the first mounting plate.

4 . The latch assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second latch holder includes a wall spaced apart from and approximately parallel with the second mounting plate and the latch arm is configured to be pivotally connected to the wall of the second latch holder and/or the second mounting plate.

5 . The latch assembly of claim 4 , wherein the wall of the first latch holder defines an opening aligned with an opening in the first mounting plate and the wall of the second latch holder defines an opening aligned with an opening in the second mounting plate.

6 . The latch assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a pivot pin, wherein when the latch arm is pivotally connectable to the first latch holder, the pivot pin extends through the opening in the first latch holder, an opening in the latch arm, and the opening in the first mounting plate.

7 . The latch assembly of claim 6 , wherein when the latch arm is pivotally connectable to the second latch holder, the pivot pin extends through the opening in the second latch holder, the opening in the latch arm, and the opening in the second mounting plate.

8 . The latch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the pivot pin includes a first member and a second member that are connected together.

9 . The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting plate and the first latch holder are symmetrical with the second mounting plate and the second latch holder about a generally vertical axis.

10 . The latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm includes a locking flange extending approximately transversely from a longitudinal axis of the latch arm, wherein the locking flange defines an opening.

11 . The latch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first latch holder includes a locking flange extending approximately transversely from the first mounting plate and the second latch holder includes a locking flange extending approximately transversely from the second mounting plate.

12 . The latch assembly of claim 11 , wherein when the latch arm is pivotally connected to the first latch holder, the locking flange of the latch arm is adjacent to the locking flange of the first latch holder and spaced apart from the locking flange of the second latch holder.

13 . The latch assembly of claim 12 , wherein when the latch arm is pivotally connected to the second latch holder, the locking flange of the latch arm is adjacent to the locking flange of the second latch holder and spaced apart from the locking flange of the first latch holder.

14 . The latch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve-like spacer configured to receive at least a portion of the latch arm.

15 . The latch assembly of claim 14 , wherein the spacer defines an opening that is aligned with an opening in the latch arm when the latch arm is received in the spacer.

16 . The latch assembly of claim 15 , wherein the spacer includes an outwardly extending protrusion on at least one side.

17 . A method of installing a latch assembly comprising:
providing a first mounting plate with a first latch holder extending therefrom, a second mounting plate with a second latch holder extending therefrom, and a latch arm movable between an unlatched position and a latched position; determining whether the latch arm should be movable towards the latched position in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction; pivotally connecting the latch arm to the first latch holder and/or the first mounting plate responsive to determining that the latch arm should move towards the latched position in a counter-clockwise direction; and pivotally connecting the latch arm to the second latch holder and/or the second mounting plate responsive to determining that the latch arm should move towards the latched position in a clockwise direction.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising sliding a sleeve-like spacer onto an end of the latch arm prior to pivotally connect the latch arm to either: (1) the first latch holder and/or the first mounting plate; or (2) the second latch holder and/or the second mounting plate.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein when the latch arm pivot is pivotally connected to the first latch holder and/or the first mounting plate, a free end of the latch arm moves in and out between the second latch holder and the second mounting plate.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein when the latch arm pivot is pivotally connected to the second latch holder and/or the second mounting plate, a free end of the latch arm moves in and out between the first latch holder and the first mounting plate.

Assignees

• Spectrum Brands Inc

Inventors

• Baker Scott C
• Gephart John D
• Su Kingsley
• Wu Alex

Classifications

• E05C3/04

  with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt · CPC title

• E05B63/042

  constructed symmetrically · CPC title

• E05B63/044 Primary

  with reversible bolt or bolt head · CPC title

• E05B65/0007

  for gates (for wire gates E06B11/021) · CPC title

• E05B63/04

  for alternative use on the right-hand or left-hand side of wings · CPC title