BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a latch system for doors, in particular for doors of residential spaces or cargo spaces, such as freight containers and storage containers. The invention further relates to a residential space or cargo space provided with a latch system according to the invention.

Several latch systems for protection against unauthorised opening of freight container doors are known. A known system is among other shown in US patent 3.544.145, in which two vertical rods are provided per door, which rods are guided, so as to be rotatable, through brackets attached to the door and which at each of their outer ends are provided with a pawl. Above and below the doors, on the frame of the container, hooks are provided, with which the pawls can be brought into latching engagement by rotating the rods using the swivel rods attached thereon. The swivel rod can be placed against the door and be secured in that position using a lock.

Another latch system is known from Dutch patent application 90.00715, which system comprises a two-part bracket, wherein each bracket member with one outer end can be placed in a corner fitting and subsequently the other outer ends of both bracket members can be brought together and secured onto one another.

In both known systems there is question of a number of parts positioned on the exterior side of the doors, which parts are visible for unauthorised persons and thus provide (visible) locations for burglary tools to engage onto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a latch system for doors of spaces which, to a limited extend only, is prone to being opened by unauthorised person. It is an object of the invention to provide a latch system for doors of spaces which, to a limited extend only, is prone to being damaged during handling and/or use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a latch system for doors of spaces which is easy to operate by an authorised person.

It is an object of the invention to provide a latch system for doors of mobile spaces, in particular containers, in particular freight containers and/or storage containers.

For achieving at least one of these objects, or other objects, the invention according to one aspect provides a system for latching doors, in particular a door of a residential space or cargo space confined by walls, comprising

- a first latch assembly having a first latch member and an associated second latch member,

wherein of the first latch assembly the first or the second latch member can be displaced between a latched position in which both latch members are in latching engagement with each other for preventing the door from moving out of its closed position, and a release position in which both latch members are out of latching engagement with each other for allowing the door to move to an open position,

- an operation device having a first elongated operation element arranged on the inside of a wall of the residential space or cargo space, which operation element is connected to the displaceable one of either latch members for displacing it between the latched position and the release position,

wherein the first operation element can be displaced between a rest position in which the displaceable one of either latch members is in the release position and an operational position, in which the displaceable one of either latch members is in the latched position, wherein the operation device further comprises:

- an operation slide provided with a slide lock extending through the wall in locking direction and in that direction, can be linearly displaced between an access position in which it projects out of the wall and a locked position in which it is retracted into the wall; and

- a transfer mechanism arranged on the inside of the wall, which mechanism is functional between the slide lock and the first operation element for converting the linear displacement of the slide lock to its locked position into said displacement of the first operation element to its operational position, and preferably vice versa as well.

In the system according to the invention, the latching condition can easily be caused by exerting a pushing force, in particular by manual force, on the slide lock in order to slide it in. In the latching condition, only the end of the slide lock provided with the keyhole need be visible, the other parts of the system are concealed. Said end may optionally be surrounded by an escutcheon. In one embodiment, in that condition, only the end surface with the keyhole will need to be visible. A usable part to engage onto for burglary tools is at least practically absent. In the latched position the system is hardly prone to damage during acts of transport in case of a mobile unit.

In one embodiment, the wall on which the operation slide including slide lock is arranged, is the door, wherein the operation element including the displaceable latch member connected thereto is arranged on the door, in particular on the inside of the door, in particular near the closing edge of the door. The one of the first and second latch members that cannot be displaced, can be arranged on a horizontal wall of the cargo space, such as a roof or a bottom.

In a further development, wherein a double latch can be realised in a simple and parallel manner, the system further comprises: - a second latch assembly having a third latch member and an associated fourth latch member, wherein of the second latch assembly the third or the fourth latch member can be displaced between a latched position in which both latch members are in latching engagement with each other for preventing the door from moving out of its closed position, and a release position in which both latch members are out of latching engagement with each other for allowing the door to move to an open position,

wherein the operation device comprises a second elongated operation element that is connected to the displaceable one of the third and fourth latch members for displacing it between the latched position and the release position, wherein the second operation element can be displaced between a rest position in which the displaceable one of the third and fourth latch members is in the release position and an operational position, in which the displaceable one of the third and fourth latch members is in the latched position,

wherein the transfer mechanism is also functional between the slide lock and the second operation element for converting the linear displacement of the slide lock to its locked position into said displacement of the second operation element to its operational position, and preferably vice versa as well.

In said embodiment in which the operation slide including slide lock is arranged is on the door, both the first and the second elongated operation element including the displaceable latch members connected thereto can be arranged on the inside of the door, in particular near the closing edge of the door. The latch members that cannot be displaced can then be arranged on a horizontal wall of the cargo space, such as a roof or a bottom.

In one embodiment, the first operation element can be linearly displaced in a first direction between the rest position and the operational position, wherein the slide lock can be linearly displaced transverse to the first direction, between the access position in which it projects out of the wall and the locked position in which it is retracted into the wall.

In one embodiment, the second operation element can be linearly displaced in a second direction between the rest position and the operational position, wherein the slide lock can be linearly displaced transverse to the second direction between the access position in which it projects out of the wall and the locked position in which it is retracted into the wall.

In a simple embodiment, the first and second directions are parallel to each other.

In a simple and/or robust embodiment, the first and/or second operation element can be rod-shaped. The operation element in question can at least extend substantially vertically. The door can have a vertical hinge axis.

In one embodiment having first and second operation rods including associated latch members, they can form an espagnolette-closing mechanism.

Alternatively, the first and/or second operation element can each time comprise a cable, in particular a Bowden cable.

In one embodiment at least one of the operation slide, first and/or second operation element and the displaceable one of the first and second latch members and/or the displaceable one of the third and fourth latch members is biassed towards the access position, rest position and release position, respectively. The first and second latch members can form an assembly of latch pin and latch stop. The third and fourth latch members can form an assembly of latch pin and latch stop. The latch pin stop can be a latch pin receiver, such as a plate having a pin receiving hole or a ring having a pin receiving eye. In one embodiment the latch pin and the latch pin stop form the displaceable part and the stationary part, respectively, of the latch assembly. Preferably each latch pin forms a displaceable unit with the associated operation element, in particular operation rod.

The transfer mechanism can be configured in various ways. In one embodiment, the transfer mechanism is configured for converting the linear displacement of the slide lock into the displacement, in particular linear displacement, of the first and/or second operation element, and vice versa, by rotation, in particular rotation in a plane parallel to both said displacement directions. In one embodiment the transfer mechanism is provided with a transfer plate that is rotatable about a point of rotation, wherein the operation slide and the transfer plate are connected to each other by means of a pin-slot connection for applying a rotary motion to the transfer plate when displacing the slide lock in the locking direction towards the locked position, wherein each said operation element and the transfer plate are connected to each other by means of a rotary connection for applying the displacement, in particular linear displacement, to the operation element in question, towards its operational position, in said rotary motion of the transfer plate. In case of the two (first and second) operation elements, they may be connected to a common transfer plate, or each be connected to a transfer plate of their own. In the latter case both transfer plates may be situated one above the other. They may be functionally engaged by the same operation slide. The points of rotation of both transfer plates can be situated on opposite sides, in particular above and below the path of the operation slide.

The rotary axis of the point of rotation of the transfer plate in question can be transverse to the locking direction and transverse to said first and/or second direction. The transfer plate in question can be biassed towards a position in which the slide lock is in the access position.

For enhancing the transfer of forces and thus the operation, the distance between the point of rotation and the pin of the operation slide- transfer plate connection may exceed the distance between the point of rotation and the pin of the transfer plate-operation element connection. In one embodiment the pin of the operation slide-transfer plate connection is attached to the operation slide and the slot is provided in the transfer plate in question.

The lock of the slide lock may comprise a cylinder lock and a connection member forming one slidable unit therewith which is in functional engagement with the transfer mechanism. The connection member may be a tube having a connection pin for connection to the transfer mechanism.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a door for the passage of persons, provided with the operation device including operation slide and transfer mechanism of the system according to the invention, as well as with the latch members that can be displaced by the operation device.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a cargo space or storage space having a door, provided with a latch system according to the invention, for said door, in particular an outside door.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a residential space, in particular an office, having a door, provided with a latch system according to the invention, for said door, in particular an outside door.

The cargo space, storage space or residential space may have the form of a mobile unit, such as a so-called sea container or freight/storage container, such as TEU 10, TEU 20, TEU 40 or High Cube container. Alternatively, the cargo space may be part of a truck or van.

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a freight container according to the invention; Figures 2A and 2B show details of an exemplary embodiment of an operation device for a latch system according to the invention, in the release position and in the latched position, respectively;

Figures 2C and 2D show a schematic side view and front view, respectively, of a part of an operation device for a latch system according to the invention, in the arrangement of figures 2A and 2B;

Figures 3A and 3B show a part of a container having a latch system according to the invention having the operation device of figures 2C and 2D, in the release position and the latched position, respectively; and Figures 4A and 4B show an example of an alternative embodiment of an operation device for a latch system according to the invention, in the release position and in the latched position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The freight container 1 in figure 1 is provided with steel walls on its six sides, such as the top wall 2, the bottom wall 3, the two long side walls 4a, b and the short side walls 5a, b. The walls 2, 3, 4a, b and 5a are fixed, the wall 5b comprises two doors 6a, b which by means of a latch system 10 according to the invention, comprising an operation device 7 having a lock 8a can be latched in the closed position shown. At its closing edge 6", the door 6b is provided with a closing strip falling over the closing edge 6' of the door 6a, so that when securing the position of door 6b, the position of the door 6a is also fixed.

The latch system 10 comprises the lock 8 (see figures 2A and 2B) that can be slid between an extended and a retracted position, the lock having a cylinder 8a which at one end is provided with a keyhole 28 and can slid back and forth, in this case horizontally, in locking direction A1 and back again (A2), in a guide tube 1 1 that is fixed to the door 6b, which tube is made of hardened steel and extends through the door 6b and is provided with a bolt stop 1 1 a. The cylinder 8a is provided with a bolt 8b biassed to the outside by an internal spring. The cylinder 8a is attached in a connection tube 8c, for connection to the transfer mechanism to be discussed below, which tube is provided with a hole or the bolt 8b and is continued rearwards and near the rear end is provided with a transverse pin 12. The transverse pin 12 can be shifted, guided with both ends in horizontal slots 13 of a pair of vertical plates 14 attached on the inside of the door 6b. The transverse pin 12 is furthermore guided in a straight slot

15 in a transfer plate or rotary plate 16, which plate 16 at the location of the pin 17 is attached to the plates 14 so as to be rotatable (directions B1 ,2) in a vertical plane, and is located in between the plates.

The plates 14 have further been provided with circle segment- shaped slots 18a,b, that are concentric relative to the pin 17 and in which transverse pins 19a,b have been guided. The distance between the path of the transverse pin 12 and the pin 17 exceeds the distance between the pin 17 and the transverse pins 18a,b, in this example approximately three times as large.

The transverse pins 19a,b are attached to the free outer ends of forks 20a, b, that are part of elongated operation elements, in this case designed like operation rods 21 a, b, further also see figures 2C and 2D. The rotary plate 16 is a common rotary plate for both operation rods 21 a, b. Via hinges 27a, b, the forks 20a, b are hinged to intermediate rods 28a, b so as to rotate, which intermediate rods are attached with their ends 29a, b in blind holes of latch members, in this case latch pins 22a, b. The operation rods 21 a, b extend upwards and downwards, respectively and can be displaced up and down, in first (C1 ,2) and second (D1 ,2) directions. The latch pins 22a, b are guided in U-shaped profiles 23a, b that are attached to the inside of the door 6b. Both legs 24a, b of the profiles 23a, b are provided with holes 25a, b in which the latch pins 22a, b are accommodated in slidable, fitting manner. Compression springs 31 a, b are arranged between the outermost legs 24a, b and stop pins 30a, b that are attached on the latch pins 22a,b.

The latch pins 22a, b are intended to cooperate in a latching manner with the other latch members, in this case latch receiving holes 26a, b that have been provided in the upper wall 2 and the bottom wall 3, respectively, of the container 1 , see figures 3A and 3B. The latch pins 22a, b and the receiving holes 26a, b form latch assemblies.

The operation rods 21 a, b, transverse pins 19a,b, rotary plate

16 and lock 8 form an operation device 7 for the latch pins 22a, b. The rotary plate 16 and transverse pins 12 and 19a,b form a transfer mechanism 9 that is a part of the operation device. The slide lock 8 forms an operation slide of the operation device.

In use, the doors 6a, b are brought into the closed position, first door 6a and then door 6b, with the closing edges 6', 6" close to/against each other, wherein the closing strip covers the joint between those closing edges. In the depicted access position, see figure 2A, the lock cylinder 8a extends well out of the door 6b. The lock bolt 1 1 is also situated outside of the door 6b. The user presses the slide lock 8 in locking direction A1 towards the locked position, figure 2B. When arriving against the front edge of the guide tube 1 1 , the bolt 8b is urged inwards, counter the spring action, and finally ends up behind the bolt stop 1 1 a where the bolt 8b can be urged to the outside again by the spring and the lock 8 is in the locked position. In this displacement, along with the tube 8c, the transverse pin 12 has also been shifted through the slots 13 in the direction A1 . The transverse pin 12 extending in the slot 15 of rotary plate 16, urges the rotary plate 16 then to rotate about the pin 17 in direction B1 .

The transverse pins 19a,b follow the rotary motion of the rotary plate 16. In that way the forks 20a, b are urged upwards and downwards, respectively, which motion is transferred to the intermediate rods 28a, b via the hinge pins 27a, b. The operation rods 21 a,b are thus urged upwards, direction C1 , and downwards, direction D1 , from the rest position into the operational position, respectively. As a consequence, the latch pins 22a, b are urged upwards, direction C1 , and downwards, direction D1 , from the release position, for going beyond the upper edge and lower edge of the door 6b and to be received in the latch pin receiving holes 26a, b, see the condition of figure 3B. The springs 31 a, b are chosen such that sufficient force can be manually exerted on the lock slide 8 for extending the latch pins 22a, b counter the spring pressure. The operation rods 21 a, b are now in the operational position. The latch pins 22a,b are now in the latched position.

The position of the rotary plate is latched by means of the bolt 8b and the bolt stop 1 1 a and removing the key, if a key was present. The cylinder 8a does not protrude from the door 6b, or hardly so, and may optionally be optimally screened off by an escutcheon of hardened steel.

When unlatching the doors 6a, b, the user inserts the key in the keyhole of the cylinder 8a, turns the key in order to retract the bolt 8b and as a result release it from the bolt stop 1 1 a. As a result, the lock 8 can be displaced in the direction A2 and the rotary plate 16 can also rotate back, and as a result the operation rods 21 a, b can be moved towards each other towards the rest position of figure 3A. This takes place under the influence of the tension of the compressed compression springs 31 a, b, that urge the latch pins 22a, b downwards and upwards, respectively, in the directions C2 and D2 from the latched position into a release position in which they have completely come out of the latch receiving holes 26a, b. Due to the respective downward and upward displacement of the latch pins 22a, b the operation rods 21 a, b are urged into the rest position, and therewith the forks 20a, b are urged towards each other and as a consequence so are the pins 19a,b. As a result, the rotary plate 16 is rotated in the direction B2, about pin 17. Due to the transverse pin 12 extending in slot 15 and in slot 13, said rotation is converted into a sliding of the slide lock 8 in outward direction, direction A2, towards its access position, after which the condition of figure 3A is achieved. The door 6b has then been released.

Instead of a more or less rigid, positively pressure-transferring rod connection between the rotary plate and the latch pin, a cable connection can be opted for, such as for instance a Bowden cable. The rotary plate then converts the linear displacement of the slide lock into a shortening or lengthening of said cable, in which way the displacement of the latch pin is achieved.

In figures 4A and 4B an embodiment of and latch system 10 according to the invention is shown, differing among others from the latch system discussed above in that each of the operation rods 21 a, b has its own transfer plate/rotary plate 16a,b. Via a pin 17a,b forming a point of rotation, each rotary plate 16a,b is attached to two plates 14, situated adjacent to each other, so as to rotate about a horizontal rotary axis, between both plates 14. The one rotary pin 17a is situated above the path of the pin 12, the other rotary pin 17b is situated below it. Each rotary plate 16a,b has a slot 15a,b for the transverse pin 12 on the tube 8c. At their inner ends, the operation rods 21 a, b are provided with pins 19a,b that have been guided in circle segment-shaped slots 18a,b in both plates 14. The distance between the pin 19a,b and pin 17a,b in both rotary plates 16a,b is smaller than the distance between the pin 12 and the pin 17a,b, in this example approximately half the distance thereof. An advantage of this division into two rotary plates is that the displacement paths of both pins 19a, 19b can be situated above one another, as a result of which the build- in length in directions A1 ,2 can remain limited, and the transfer mechanism 9 can largely be situated inside the door 6b.

When pushing in the slide lock 8 in the direction A1 , both rotary plates 16a,b will rotate in opposite directions about the pins 17a,b in question, directions B1 , B2, whereas the pin is guided through slots 13. The slots 15a,b provide sufficient length for an unimpeded movement of pin 12 through the vertical plane containing the axis of rotation of the pins 17a,b.

Further shown is a cap 40 for covering the lock 8 in the locked position against weather influences. It is furthermore noted that only the door 6b is shown, it will be understood that the latch pins 22a, b are intended for extending into stationary latch receiving holes 26a, b (figures

3A,B) or the like in order to latch the door 6b.

The invention is/inventions are not at all limited to the embodiments discussed in the description and shown in the drawings. The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Starting from the above explanation, many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Variations of the parts described in the description and shown in the drawings are possible. They can be used individually in other embodiments of the invention(s). Parts of the various examples given can be combined together.