[0001] The present invention relates to door latches.Specifically, the present invention
5 relates to aldrop latches having a security feature for child safety.The present invention pertains
to a child safety enabled aldrop latch comprising a spring based foldable handleand a square rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the
10 present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art
or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly
referenced is prior art.
[0003] Door latches are well known in the art and serveto prevent unintended opening of the
door.Door latches are used to close the door and lock it from one side. Conventional door latches
15 are easy to install and can be installed by screwdriver. Door aldrops are kind of latches fitted on
the outside part of the door and user is required to use a pad lock to lock the latch. A latch is not
the same as the locking mechanism of a door or window, although often they are found together
in the same product. Latches range in complexity from flexible one-piece flat springs of metal or
plastic, such as are used to keep blow molded plastic power tool cases closed, to multi-point
20 cammed latches used to keep large doors closed.
[0004] Conventional latches comprise a door bolt which moves in a cylindrical casing and is
fitted on inside part of the door to lock the door without key.The drawback associated with
conventional aldrop latches used at inner side of room doors is that smallchildrenin the age group
of 1.5 to 3 years can accidently lock themselves inside and might not be able to open the latch,
25 resulting in getting trapped. Such a scenario requires a serious rescue operation that generally
involves breaking open the door by force if no other inlet to the room is available.
[0005] Several types of child-safety door locks are reported for other types of latches like the
ones reported in patent no. US7416230B2, US5738394A and US6879058B2. However, no childsafety door latch mechanism for conventional aldrop latches has been reported till date.
30 [0006] Thus there is an urgent need to develop safety mechanism for aldrop latches such that
small children cannot lock the latch and adult is required toeffectively operate the latch.Need is
3
felt for safety mechanism in latches which can overcome deficiencies associated with the known
arts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
5 [0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a security feature in conventional
aldrop latches.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to providea security feature for child
safety in conventional aldrop latches.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple yet effective security
10 feature in conventional aldrop latches.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safe and secure aldrop latch
that cannot be opened or closed by small children.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide aldrop latcheswith a security
feature that can be easily installed.
15 [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide aldrop latches with a security
feature having a simple design that can be easily manufactured and is affordable.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide aldrop latches with a security
feature that are equally durable as compared to conventional aldrop latches.
[0014] The other objects and preferred embodiments and advantages of the present invention
20 will become more apparent from the following description of the present invention when read in
conjunction with the accompanying examples and figures, which are not intended to limit scope
of the present invention in any manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
25 [0015] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form
that are further described below in Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to
identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0016] The present invention relates to door latches.Specifically, the present invention
30 relates to aldrop latches having a security feature for child safety.
4
[0017] The present invention pertains to a child safety enabled aldrop latch comprising a
spring based foldable handle.
[0018] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
comprising a square shaped rod and a foldable handle with spring mechanism.
5 [0019] In oneaspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
comprising:
a) a square shapedrod;
b) a spring based foldable handle;
c) two or more upper fixtures to hold the square rod; and
10 d) a lower fixture to lock the handle;
wherein the foldable handle is used to move the square rod in horizontal direction.
[0020] In anotheraspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
as described in Figure 1, comprising:
a) a square shapedrod (102);
15 b) a spring based foldable handle (104);
c) two or more upper fixtures to hold the square rod (106); and
d) a lower fixture to lock the handle (108);
wherein the foldable handle is used to move the square rod in horizontal direction.
[0021] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
20 wherein the square shaped rod can be moved in horizontal direction but cannot be rotated up and
down.
[0022] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
wherein to unlock the door, user has to first fold the handle and then unlock the latch by moving
the rod in horizontal direction from right to left.
25 [0023] In anotheraspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
wherein to lock the door, user has to first fold the handle and then lock the latch by moving the
rod in horizontal direction from left to right.
[0024] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
wherein the security feature for child safety is the foldable handle along with a square rod.
5
[0025] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
with a simple yet effective security feature with a simple design that can be easily manufactured,
is affordable and can be easily installed.
[0026] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
5 wherein the latch can be manufactured using metals selected from but not limited to stainless
steel, brass, aluminum and the like.
[0027] Other aspects of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in
part will be apparent from the description, or may be learnt by the practice of the invention.
10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS THE INVENTION
[0028] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further
illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference
to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments
presented herein.
15 Figure 1: illustrates the novel aldrop latch with security feature in the form of foldable handle
Figure 2: Front view of the aldrop latch in open position
Figure 3: Side view of the aldrop latch in closed position
Figure 4: Right Side view of the aldrop latch
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure. The
embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount
of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within
25 the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0030] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each
individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is
inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term
30 provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
6
[0031] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”
means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one
embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not
5 necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0032] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties
such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain
embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the
10 term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the
written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the
desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment.In some embodiments, the
numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits
and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and
15 parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are
approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely
as practicable.The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may
contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective
testing measurements.
20 [0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning
of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which follow, the
25 word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”
[0035] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand
method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range.Unless otherwise
indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were
30 individually recited herein.All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and
7
all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain
embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed.No language in the specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the
5 invention.
[0036] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein
are not to be construed as limitations.Each group member can be referred to and claimed
individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found
herein.One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons
10 of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification
is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all
Markush groups used in the appended claims.
[0037] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by
way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and
15 aspects of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation,
and not of limitation, of those principles and of the disclosure.
[0038] It should also be appreciated that the present disclosure can be implementedin
numerous ways, including as a system, a method or a device. In this specification, these
implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as processes.
20 In general, the order of the steps of the disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of
the invention.
[0039] The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only
and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
[0040] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive
25 subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive
elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the
disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second
embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to
include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
8
[0041] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim
is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have
given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing..
[0042] The term“latch” refers to a type of mechanical fastener that joins two (or more)
5 objects or surfaces while allowing for their regular separation. A latch typically engages another
piece of hardware on the other mounting surface. Depending upon the type and design of the
latch, this engaged bit of hardware may be known as a keeper or strike. Metals such as
brass,aluminum andStainless steel are most commonly used for manufacture of conventional
latches.
10 [0043] Conventional latches typically include a rotatable selector switch including a finger
tab protruding through an edge panel of the door for selectively enabling or disabling the latch,
e.g., by blocking/unblocking rotation of the trigger that actuates the latch bolt. These can turn out
to be dangerous in cases where small children accidently use the latch to bolt a door but are
unable to open it.
15 [0044] The present invention relates to door latches.Specifically, the present invention
relates to aldrop latches having a security feature for child safety.
[0045] The present invention pertains to a child safety enabled aldrop latch comprising a
spring based foldable handle.
[0046] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
20 latch comprising a square shaped rod and a foldable handle with spring mechanism.
[0047] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
comprising:
a) a square shapedrod;
b) a spring based foldable handle;
25 c) two or more upper fixtures to hold the square rod; and
d) a lower fixture to lock the handle;
wherein the foldable handle upon unfolding, is used to move the square rod in horizontal
direction.
[0048] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
30 latch as described in Figure 1, comprising:
a) a square shapedrod (102);
9
b) a spring based foldable handle (104);
c) two or more upper fixtures to hold the square rod (106); and
d) a lower fixture to lock the handle (108);
wherein the foldable handle upon unfolding, is used to move the square rod in horizontal
5 direction.
[0049] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop latch
wherein the square shaped rod the square shaped rod can only be moved in horizontal direction
butcannot be rotated up and down.
[0050] The process of folding the handle requires marginal force due to spring mechanism
10 which makes this difficult for kids. As the latch cannot be operated without first folding the
handle, small children will not be able to open or close the latch on their own. Thus, the
inventive and novel features of the present invention, i.e., foldable handle along with a square
rod are the security features that enable the small children to operate the latch on their own.
[0051] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
15 latch wherein to unlock the door, user has to first fold the handle and then unlock the latch by
moving the rod in horizontal direction from right to left.
[0052] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled
aldrop latch wherein to lock the door, user has to first fold the handle and then lock the latch by
moving the rod in horizontal direction from left to right.
20 [0053] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
latch wherein the security feature for child safety is the foldable handle along with a square rod.
[0054] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
latch wherein after operating the latch, the user need to unfold the handle back to its original
position.
25 [0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the aldrop latch in unlocked
and unfolded position cannot be locked by small children as this process requires folding the
handle again with a force and movement of the square rod.To change the state of handle, i.e, to
fold and unfold the handle, user requiresapplying higher force due to spring mechanism
configured with the handle.
30 [0056] The above process of folding the handle requires marginal force due to spring
mechanism that makes this job difficult for kids. Once the door is unlocked the handle needs to
10
be unfolded again. The unlocked and unfolded state doesn’t allow a kid to lock the door due the
requirement of higher force.
[0057] Figure 2 illustrates the front view of aldrop latch comprising foldable handle, in an
open position. Figure 3 illustrates the side view of aldrop latch comprising foldable handle, in a
5 closed position. Figure 4 illustrates the right side view of the aldrop latch comprising foldable
handle.
[0058] The novel and inventive design of the aldrop latch comprising foldable handle
makes it difficult and impossible for small children to operate the latch. Assistance of an adult or
parent is required to operate the safety enabled aldrop latch according to the embodiments of the
10 present invention. The step of folding the handle and then moving the square rod requires
applying force that cannot be achieved by small children.
[0059] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
latch with a simple yet effective security feature with a simple design that can be easily
manufactured, is affordable and can be easily installed.
15 [0060] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a child safety enabled aldrop
latch wherein the latch can be manufactured using metals selected from but not limited to
stainless steel, brass, aluminum and the like.
[0061] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the disclosure, other and
further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope
20 thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not
limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a
person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with
information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
25 ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0062] The present invention providesa security feature in conventional aldrop latches.
[0063] The present invention provides a security feature for child safety in conventional
aldrop latches.
[0064] The present invention provides a simple yet effective security feature in
30 conventional aldrop latches.
11
[0065] The present invention provides a safe and secure aldrop latch that cannot be opened
or closed by small children.
[0066] The present invention provides aldrop latches with a security feature that can be
easily installed.
5 [0067] The present invention provides aldrop latches with a security feature having a
simple design that can be easily manufactured and is affordable.
[0068] The present invention provide saldrop latches with a security feature that are
equally durable as compared to conventional aldrop latches.

We Claim:

1. A child safety enabled aldrop latch comprising:
a) a square shapedrod (102);
5 b) a spring based foldable handle (104);
c) two or more upper fixtures to hold the square rod (106); and
d) a lower fixture to lock the handle (108);
wherein the foldable handle is used to move the square rod in horizontal direction.
2. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the square shaped
10 rod can only be moved in horizontal direction.
3. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein to unlock the door,
user has to first fold the handle and then unlock the latch by moving the rod in horizontal
direction from right to left.
4. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein to lock the door, user
15 has to first fold the handle and then lock the latch by moving the rod in horizontal
direction from left to right.
5. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the security feature
for child safety is the foldable handle along with a square rod.
6. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein after operating the
20 latch, the user need to unfold the handle back to its original position.
7. The child safety enabled aldrop latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch can be
manufactured using metals selected from stainless steel, brass and aluminum.