FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Latching Mechanism for Split Doors
2. APPLICANT:
(a) NAME: Larsen&Toubro Limited
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the
provisions of the Companies Act-1956.
(c) ADDRESS: LARSEN &T0UBR0 LIMITED,
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P. 0. Box: 278, Mumbai 400 001, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Latching Mechanism for Split Doors
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a latching mechanism and more particularly to the latching mechanism forsplit door arrangement of enclosures/switchboards/panels.
Background of the invention
Conventionally, in split doors(110,120) as shown in figure l,of the enclosure (200), magnets or hinges are used on one door or both the doors. Construction of doors is such that, movable ends of both the doors(110, 120) meet in the middle portion of the enclosure and stay in that position by means of magnetic locking or hinges attached thereto. However, application of a small force at the on top or bottom of the movable ends of the doors (110,120) causes the doors to open.
Most of the enclosures, switchboards, and panels are mounted vertically such that their door's flat surfaces remain parallel to the wall surfaces. Therefore there is tendency of opening of the doors (110, 120) even though latch is not operated. To avoid this, two permanent magnets (130) are used, as shown in figure 1. However, using the magnets has an issue since the magnetic field strength of permanent magnets reduces with time and the problem of door opening persists. This unintended opening of the doors(110, 120) is not desirable from safety perspective. Due to this unintended opening of the doors (110, 120), depending upon the environment where it is installed, the solid particles and water may enter inside the enclosures (200) which in turn

affectthe electrical productshoused there in making theelectrical products susceptible to getting shock.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a latching mechanism for doors of the enclosures which overcomes abovementioned drawbacks.
Object of the invention
An object of the present invention is to prevent unintended opening of the doors of the enclosures/switchboards/panels.
Another object of the present invention isto provide a simple latching mechanism for the doors of the enclosures/switchboards/panels.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a latching mechanism for split doors of anenclosure. The latching mechanism comprises a latching member configured on inner side of at least one door of the split door. The latching member is supported by a spring mechanism. The latching member holds the split doors together when closed. Further, the latching mechanism includes an L-shaped holder member havinga base portion secured to a stationary surface inside the enclosure and an extended portion extending from the base portion. The extended portion includes a slot configured thereon for receiving the latching member therein when the split doors are closed. The latching member is engaged in the slot provided on the L-shaped holder till the latching member is not opened thereby eliminating unintended door opening and ensuring safety.

Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows latching mechanism for doors with permanent magnets, of prior art;
Figure 2shows a split door construction in an enclosure;
Figure 3shows a cross sectional view of a latching mechanism for split doors of the enclosure, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the latching mechanism of figure 4;and
Figure 5 shows an L-shaped holder member of the latching mechanism of figures 3 and 4.
Detailed description of the invention
The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
Referring to figure 2-5, there is shown a latching mechanism (100} for split doors of an enclosure (200), in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 shows split door construction generally used. Specifically, figure 2 show the split doors (110,120) used in enclosure (200) where width is high and single door is not possible. The split doors (110,120) rotate around their hinges fixed

to the enclosure (200). Reference numerals used for the figures of the present invention are similar to figure 1 of the prior art, for providing better understanding of the invention.
The latching mechanism (100] includes a latching member (10] and an L shaped holder member (20).The latching member (10] is configured on inner side of at least one door of the split door, for example the door (110] as shown in figure 3 and 4. The latching member (10] is supported by a spring mechanism (12] which provides required strength to the latchingmember (10) to hold the split doors(110,120) together when closed. The latching member (10) is similar to the latching member used generally in the prior art.
Further, the latching mechanism (100) includes an L-shaped holder member (20). Specifically, figure 5 shows the L-shaped holder member (20). The L-shaped holder member (20) includes a base portion (22) and an extended portion (24). The base portion (22) is secured to a stationary surface (140) inside the enclosure (200). In an embodiment, the base portion of the L-shaped holder is secured to the stationary surface (140) of the enclosure (200) by means of welding or ascrew.
The extended portion (24) extends from the base portion (22) to form the L-shaped component. The extended portion (24) includes a slot (24a) configured thereon for receiving the latching member (10) therein when the split doors (110,120) are closed. In an embodiment, the slot (24a) is rectangular slot.
In an embodiment, the L-shaped holder member (20) is a sheet metal componentwith one bend whichprovides mechanically more sturdy and stable

component to avoid sagging or bending after application of a force from latch member's (10) side.
The latching member (10) is engaged in the slot (24a) provided on the L shaped holder (20) till the latching member (10) is not opened manually. This eliminates unintended door opening and ensuring safety.
Advantages of the invention
1. The latching mechanism (100) is easy to manufacture and assemble in a
distribution boxes, switch boards and the like.
2. The latching mechanism (100) eliminates use of two permanent magnets or an extra one or two hinge hence significant cost saving.
3. The latching mechanism (100) provides an unique design which ensures unintended door opening even if force is applied from either top or bottom.
The foregoing object the invention is accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those

skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We Claim
1. A latching mechanism for split doors of an enclosure, the
latching mechanism comprising:
a latching member configured on inner side of at least one door of the split doors, the latching member being supported by a spring mechanism, the latching member holding the split doors together when closed; and
an L shaped holder member having,
a base portion secured to a stationary surface inside the enclosure, and
an extended portion extending from the base portion, the
extended portion having a slot configured thereon for receiving
the latching member therein when the split doors are closed,
wherein, the latching member is engaged in the slot provided on
the L shaped holder till the latching member is not opened thereby
eliminating unintended door opening and ensuring safety.
2. The latching mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base
portion of the L shaped holder is secured to the stationary surface of the
enclosure by any means out of welding and screw.