초록 ▼

The present invention relates to locking door latches. A door latch according to the invention may include a handle assembly that includes a generally cylindrical shank having an axis, an engagement member that includes a generally cylindrical bore configured to permit the shank to pass through the

The present invention relates to locking door latches. A door latch according to the invention may include a handle assembly that includes a generally cylindrical shank having an axis, an engagement member that includes a generally cylindrical bore configured to permit the shank to pass through the engagement member, a spindle operable by the shank, and a live bolt assembly coupled to the spindle so as to be actuated by the spindle. The handle is movable in a direction parallel to the axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the shank engages the engagement member so as to prohibit the shank from rotating about the axis. In the second position, the shank does not engage the engagement member so as to permit rotation of the shank about the axis.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A latch assembly, comprising: an engagement member having an aperture formed therein; and a locking member having an axis, a first portion of the locking member configured to extend through the aperture in a direction parallel to the axis, the locking member being movable axially betwee

I claim: 1. A latch assembly, comprising: an engagement member having an aperture formed therein; and a locking member having an axis, a first portion of the locking member configured to extend through the aperture in a direction parallel to the axis, the locking member being movable axially between a first position wherein the locking member engages the engagement member so as to restrict rotation of the locking member about the axis, and a second position wherein the locking member is free to rotate about the axis relative to the engagement member, the first portion of the locking member including a first groove formed on an end of the first portion that extends through the aperture, a positive lock member removably biased into the groove to fix the locking member in the first position and removable from the groove to define the second position wherein moving to the first position includes pulling the locking member away from the engagement member. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein moving to the second position includes pushing the locking member toward the engagement member. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement member is an escutcheon plate. 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first groove extends around a circumference of the first locking portion, and the positive lock member slides within the groove when the locking member rotates about the axis. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the locking member includes a retaining groove formed on an end thereof that extends through the aperture, and the assembly further includes a retaining clip configured to mount to the retaining groove to retain the locking member in the aperture. 6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bushing having a slot, the bushing being configured for positioning between the aperture and the locking member, wherein the slot is aligned with the first groove to provide access for the positive locking member into the first groove. 7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bushing positioned between the locking member and the engagement member, and the locking member includes a locking tab that engages the bushing to prevent rotation of the bushing about the axis. 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a handle that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis. 9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a live bolt assembly and a spindle coupled to the live bolt assembly and the locking member, whereby rotation of the locking member about the axis actuates the live bolt. 10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a handle assembly separate from the locking member, wherein the spindle is further coupled to the handle assembly. 11. The assembly of claim 1, configured for use with a storm door. 12. A handle assembly, comprising: a generally cylindrical shank having an axis and a locking feature; an engagement member including a generally cylindrical bore that extends through the engagement member, the bore being configured to permit the locking feature of the shank to pass through the engagement member; a spindle operable by the shank, wherein a portion of the spindle passes through the bore; and a live bolt assembly engaged by the spindle so as to be actuated by the spindle; wherein the shank is movable in a direction parallel to the axis between a first position wherein the locking feature of the shank engages the engagement member so as to prohibit the shank from rotating about the axis, and a second position wherein the locking feature of the shank is positioned outside of the bore and free to rotate about the axis relative to the the engagement member, wherein the movement from the second position to the first position includes pulling the shank along the axis away from the engagement member. 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein movement from the first position to the second position includes pushing the shank along the axis towards the engagement member. 14. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a handle secured to the shank and extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis. 15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the engagement member is an escutcheon plate. 16. A method of locking a latch assembly, the latch assembly including a locking member and an engagement member defining an aperture sized to receive the locking member, the locking member including a shank and a locking protrusion extending radially from the shank, the locking member being rotatable relative to the engagement member about an axis extending through the aperture, the method comprising the steps of: pulling the locking member toward the engagement member along the axis into a first position wherein the locking protrusion engages the engagement member to prohibit rotation of the locking member about the axis; and pushing the locking member away from the engagement member along the axis into a second position wherein the locking protrusion is removed from the engagement member and is free to rotate about the axis. 17. A door assembly, comprising: a door having first and second opposed primary surfaces and a bore formed between the first and second primary surfaces; and a latch assembly mounted to the first primary surface of the door adjacent to the bore, the latch assembly comprising: an engagement member having an aperture formed therein that extends between opposing primary surfaces of the engagement member; and a locking member having a cylindrical shank portion configured to extend through the aperture and a locking feature formed on the shank portion, the locking member being movable between a first position wherein the locking feature is positioned within the aperture and engages the engagement member so as to restrict rotation of the locking member about the axis, and a second position wherein the locking feature is positioned outside of the aperture and disengaged from the engagement member so as to provide unrestricted rotation of the locking member relative to the engagement member wherein moving from the second position to the first position includes pulling the locking member in a direction away from the engagement member and moving from the first position to the second position includes pushing the locking member in a direction towards the engagement member. 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the latch assembly further comprises a spindle and a live bolt assembly, the live bolt assembly and the locking member being engaged byte spindle such that rotation of the locking member about the axis actuates the live bolt assembly. 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the latch assembly further comprises a handle assembly mounted to the second primary surface of the door adjacent to the bore, and the locking member and the handle assembly are engaged by the spindle through the bore. 20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the locking member further includes a handle extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis. 21. A locking handle configured to lock relative to an engagement member by pulling the handle away from the engagement member to engage a first portion of the handle with the engagement member, and unlocks relative to the engagement member by pushing the handle towards the engagement member to disengage the first portion of the handle from the engagement member, wherein the handle locks and unlocks relative to the engagement member without rotating the handle about an axis parallel to the first and second directions, wherein a positive lock member engages the handle to retain the locking handle in the locked and unlocked positions, the positive lock member being movable in a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. 22. The handle of claim 21, wherein the handle includes a second portion secured to and extending in a generally perpendicular direction from the first portion and being rotatable about the axis.