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About Latches
Latches are a type of mechanical device used to fasten
doors, windows, cabinets and other such items that can be either open
or closed. Traditionally, latches have been used only to hold doors in
the closed position, not to lock them. Bolts, on the other hand, have
been used to only lock, while locks are capable of performing both these
functions. More recently, however, latches have emerged that are able
to both lock and fasten a door or other object. Latches are particularly
efficient in situations that call for controlled release and operation.
Most latches contain only one bolt, the beveled spring bolt/roller bolt.
Latch manufacturers produce latches that are available in a variety of
materials: stainless steel latches and plastic latches are just a couple
examples. Often, the material of the latches has much to do with its
function, such as flexible latches, which are made from rubber and other
elastomers, and are used in applications such as
vibration
isolation.
Many latch manufacturers create latches that vary in design and usage.
Draw latches are a general description for any latches that are used
to draw together and hold two separate panels. Another, spring latches
and slam-action latches, make use of a spring for the actuation motion
that pushes or slams a door shut. Rotary latches, rather than a spring,
have rotating components within the latch that secure the door. Mortise
locks are mounted in a cavity in the door edge, and for this reason are
very difficult to force open. One type of latch, a rim latch, is an old-fashioned
latch that went out of style in the late 19th century, but is now being
revived in period-design houses. These latches are mounted on the inside
of a door instead of in the door edge like most modern latches, and because
they are less secure, they should not be used as the only means of security
for a home. Another type of latch, a safety latch, is used by parents
to protect their children from sharp objects and poisons they may find
in cabinets and drawers while playing.
Different mounting options are also made available by latch manufacturers.
Concealed mounting refers to the situation in which the latches and corresponding
mounting hardware are hidden behind the panel, and edge mounting involves
installing the latches on the edge of the mating panels. When the latches
are mounted directly on the front of the panel, this is called face mounting.
Side mounting is when both the latch and the keeper are mounted on the
back of the connecting panels and cannot be viewed from the cabinet or
door front. Lastly, single-hole mounting involves mounting the latches
in a single hole on the panel face. Latching position is also important.
Primary latching position means that the door is securely held in a closed
position, while secondary latching position refers to a latch that holds
the door in a position that is not fully closed.
Latches are useful in virtually any industry, most notably transportation
and home- or building-related applications. Transportation uses include
latches for the aerospace and automobile industries, as well as for recreational
vehicles, railway, marine and off-highway uses. Indoors, latches can
be used for nearly anything in the home or workplace that requires a
door or cabinet to be held shut, making the industry list numerous. Some
important considerations when choosing latches for your application include
how many are needed and what they should be made from (whether plastic,
stainless steel, brass or rubber). Also important is the surface composition
of what the latches are to be mounted on (wall, door, cabinet or window)
and what latches are appropriate for such a material. Finally, make sure
that the latches mechanism is not too heavy to cause problems when mounted,
and that it will stay in position.
Featured
Articles
http://www.antiquehomesmagazine.com/article.php?item=11&page=1
http://modeltech.tripod.com/geary_latch.htm
http://www.designnews.com/article/CA109152.html
Types of Latches
- are latches with components that are
used for installation in bored holes on a door.
- are mechanisms used to hold doors closed.
- are a self-adjusting type of
latch.
- are bored latches that have
a cylindrical case into which another latch bolt case may fit.
- are mechanisms that hold doors shut.
- are designed to draw together and hold
two panels.
- are made from rubber or another
elastomer, and are used in situations when vibration isolation or panel
misalignment problems occur.
- are rotary latches that
have a vertical clearance pawl.
- have little or no protrusion from
the mounting panel.
- have a cylinder in the knob.
- are not applied to a door’s
surface, but rather installed in a mortise.
- are rim latches that are very
narrow, generally less than 75mm.
- are either mortise or rim latches with
a ‘snib’ to hold the latch back if needed. Typically, these
latches are not very secure.
- are secured with a member traveling
beyond the center.
- have flat, flip-out handles used
for actuation.
- have a cylindrical pin that is
used to strike.
- are old-fashioned latches that are mounted
on the inside of a door instead of inserted into the door edge.
- use a roller latch head under spring
tension to reduce friction. This engages a strike and forms a recess
to receive the roller.
- have one or more rotating members
that are used to secure the door.
- are activated by the slamming of a door.
- use actuation to push or slam the
door closed.
- make use of a spring for the latching
operation.
- , like rim latches, are another old-fashioned
type of latch.
- have a tubular body, which is
inserted into a drilled hole in the door edge.
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