I. DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related generally to latching systems for enclosure doors, and is more par¬ ticularly related to an improved multiple latch system for use with single door or multi-door enclosures.

Conventional enclosures have heretofore util¬ ized various multiple latch systems to secure the doors thereof into tightly sealed relation therewith. Such systems often include a central door lacch which nas connected thereto one or more elongated extension rods that extend toward opposite upper and lower ends of the door. Such extension rods are usually designed to engage strikes which are mounted on the enclosure to cause the top and bottom ends of the door to be drawn against the enclosure in sealed relation therewith.

Although such systems have been somewhat eff¬ ective in latching the door to the enclosure, leakage problems are prevalent due to the mounting of tne strikes upon enclosure. Mounting of the strikes comm¬ only involves piercing the body of the enclosure wnich creates a passageway for air lea age into the sealed interior thereof. Leakage problems also occur due to the fact that the enclosure door is only secured at the very top, bottom and middle of the door. For larger doors, the space between latching points increases and tnus the potential for leaκage therebetween increases .

Other multiple latch systems utilize a plura- lity of rotating latch members which are mounted to the

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door and fixedly interconnected to cause simultaneous rotation and latching of the door to the enclosure. Such latching systems generally include an elongated latch bar which is fixedly secured to each latching 5 member in order to drive same. Such systems require numerous ^' additional parts for inter-connecting such latch members, and require tedious and cumbersome labor during assembly thereof. For the foregoing reasons, such systems have proved to be impractical ^' and costly. 10 Moreover, such multiple latch systems usually involve mounting of each separate rotating latch assembl to the door via a bolt which penetrates the door and creates potential undesirable leakage points into the sealed interior of the enclosure.

15 it is evident from tήe above that it would be desirable to provide a multiple point latching system for enclosure doors which can accommodate any number of desired latches and can be easily assembled with minimal parts and labor, so as to reduce the effective

20 cost and required repairs thereof. Such a system must accomplish the above while also being carefully constructed to avoid penetrating the enclosure body with the various necessary parts of the latch system, to avoid potential leakage paths into the sealed

2.5 interior thereof.

The present invention solves each of the above problems found to be inherent in conventional door latching systems . Numerous advantages are gained through the use of the new latch system disclosed and 3° claimed herein, which will become more apparent from the following disclosure thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention utilizes a plurality of combinational cam-pinion latcn members whicn are rotatably mounted to the inside surface of an enclosure door and spaced along the free peripheral portions thereof. Each latch member is construcced as a pinion gear which disconnectedly inter-engages with an elongated drive means or rack rod that extends between and adjacent to all such latcn members .

The racK rod has a plurality of apertures therein which mesh with the pinion teeth on each of the latch members. The rack rod is supported in inter- engaging relation with each latch member by means of a flange which protrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the door. Tne latch members are mounted closely adjacent to the flange, and the racK rod is disposed between the flange and latch members such that the teeth of each latch member meshes with the apertures of the rack rod. Because the rack rod is sandwiched between the latch members and the flange, the flange supports and holds the rack rod in disconnected but inter-engaging relation with the latch members. Contrary to the conventional enclosures, no direct physical connection is necessary oetween the latch members and the rack rod which extends therebetween.

TO control the rotation of such latch members between their respective latched and unlatched positions, an externally accessible controlling lever or handle is mounted on the door which connects directly to one of the latch members. Upon rotation of the handle, the latch member connected thereto is caused to rotate, which in turn causes the meshing rod to move. Consequently, movement of the racx rod causes simultaneous and synchronous rotation of all such latch members which inter-engage therewith.

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In one embodiment of the invention, each latcn member comprises a cam with a camming surface or ramp which engages the enclosure upon closure of the door and rotation of such latch members into their latched positions. Once the cammed surface of ea ^' cn latch member engages the enclosure, further rotation of such latch members causes the door to be drawn evenly and tightly into sealed relation with the enclosure.

The door is designed to extend over the open-defining portions of the door such that all latch members and other various components of the latch system are positioned outside the sealed opening of the enclosure. Each latch member is disposed such that it engages an outward extending flange of the enclosure, thereby avoiding the need to latch against a surface which is within the sealed interior of the enclosure. ^' As such, no leakage problems occur due to the mounting of the various components of the latching system.

In a second embodiment, the enclosure assembly carries a plurality of external mounting blocks which facilitate mounting of the various wall panels of the enclosure to the enclosure body or frame solely from the exterior. In this case, the mounting blocks may either serve as catches for the cam-pinion latches of the door latch system, or may be designed with the necessary clearance so as to allow the cam-pinion latches to engage the enclosure body, as previously descriDed.

As a result of the above-described unique construction of a multiple point combinational cam- pinion door latching system, fewer parts are necessary, and assembly time and cost are markedly reduced. The unique construction of our new latching system requires

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no additional parts to fixedly connect tne multiple latching memoers together , thus reducing tne numoer oi mechanical parts, and the frequency of eventual required repairs thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, which is made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 snows a typical enclosure naving a pivotal door which embodies the new multiple point cam- pinion latch system.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of the door of the enclosure shown in Fig. 1, showing the construction of the multiple point cam-pinion latch system, the lower portion of the door and latch system being constructed identical to the top portion.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front vertical sectional view taken through the door of an enclosure similar to that shown in Fig. 1, wherein the multiple point cam-pinion latch system is shown in its unlatched position.

Fig. ^" 4 is a fragmentary front vertical sectional view taKen through the door of an enclosure similar to that shown in Fig. i, wherein a multiple point cam-pinion latch system is snown in its partially latched state with each latch member simultaneously engaging tne enclosure and drawing the door tightly thereagainst .

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Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front vertical sectional view taKen through the doo of an enclosure similar to that shown in Fig. , showing the multiple point cam-pinion latch system in its fully latched position with all latch members simultaneously engaging the body of the enclosure so as to draw the door tightly thereagainst.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the combinational cam-pinion latch members, the remaining latch members being constructed identical thereto.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the combinational cam-pinion latch member shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines lines 3-8 of the combinational cam-pinion latch member shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the combina¬ tional cam-pinion latch member shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the elongated driving rack rod which disconnectedly inter-engages with each cam-pinion latch member to drive the same.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of the driving rack rod shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of our combinational cam-pinion latch.

Fig. ι3 is a fragmentary front vertical sectional view taKen through the door of an enclosure similar to that snown in Fig. 1, showing our

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alternative multiple point cam-pinion latcn system in its fully iatcned position witn all alternative latch members simultaneously engaging external mounting blocks whicn are carried by the enclosure frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in Fig. i, the multiple point cam- pinion latch system shown and described herein is commonly used with enclosures which require proper sealing thereof, such as electrical enclosures config- ured from steel, aluminum or other metallic material. As discussed above, it is often a concern with such enclosures that there be minimal leaκage paths from the exterior to the interior of the enclosure. Thus, it is advantageous to seal the door against the enclosure at multiple points around the periphery of the door.

Enclosure 10 generally has a door 12 which is pivotal between an open and closed position via its hinged connection 14 to enclosure 10. Lever or handle 16 connects to the door 12 of enclosure 10 and is accessible from the exterior to control the latching and unlatching of the multiple point cam-pinion latch system which is positioned and mounted on the inside surface of door 12.

^~ > best shown in Fig. 2, the multiple point cam-pinion latch system is generally comprised of a plurality of identically constructed combinational cam-pinion latch members 13 which are mounted to the inside surface of door 12 in spaced relation to each other and adjacenc the free peripheral portion 20 thereof. Such latcn members 13 are simultaneousl driven so as to cause .even latching of the door 12 against the Dody of enclosure 13.

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The central controlling latch member 22 connects to handle memDer 16 which is mounted to door 12 in pivotal relation thereto. More specifically, handle 16 has a body portion 24 -with a threaded shaft 26 wnicn cooperatively fits and extends througn opening 28 in door i2. Nut 30 threads upon the threaded shaft 26 to securely connect the body 24 of handle 16 to the door 12. Handle 16, which has a terminal square-shaped lug portion 32, is rotatably carried within ^* body porton 24, and extends therethrough. Controlling latch memDer 22 has a square-shaped aperture 36 which telescopically fits upon lug 32. Controlling latch member 22 is fixedly secured to lug 32 and handle 16 via a hex screw 38 which is threadably received within threaded axial bore 34 in lug 32. By mounting controlling latch member 22 to handle 16 in the manner described above, controlling latch member 22 can be driven and controlled via rotational movement of handle 16, which is accessible from the exterior of enclosure 10.

Each of the remaining combinational cam-pinion latch members 13 are pivotally mounted to a respective stud 40 which is welded to the inside surface of door 12 at various spaced locations adjacent the free peripheral portion 20 thereof. Each stud 40 is threaded at its free end and constructed with an annular collar 42 therearound. Each collar 42 has an axially protruding annular lug 44 which is of smaller cross-sectional dimensions than the major portion of collar 42, and is designed to be telescopically inserted into an aperture 36 of an adjoining latch member. 13. As such, each latch member 13 (with the exception of controlling latch member 22) is rotatably carried on lug 44 of collar 42 of an associated stud 43. Each latch member 13 is secured upon its associated stud 40 via a flanged hex nut 48, which threads upon the terminal portion thereof.

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Each latch member 13 (including the controlling latch member 22) constitutes a pinion with a plurality of teeth 50 which are designed to disconnectedly inter- engage with apertures 52 in an elongated driving racK rod 54. As is Dest seen in Figs. 10 and li , tne aper¬ tures 52 are centered and spaced along the length of rack rod 54 such that the teeth 50 of eacn latch memoer 18 will cooperatively inter-engage therewith.

Door 12 has an inwardly extending peripheral flange 56 which supports racK rod 54 in disconnected but interlocked relation with each of the latch members 18 that are pivotally mounted upon the inside surface of door 12. Each latch member 18 is positioned and rotatably mounted upon the inside surface of door 12 such that racx rod 54 is sandwiched between the door flange 56 and each latch member 13, with the respective teeth 50 thereof extending into apertures 52. Glide buttons 46 are carried within apertures 52 of rack rod 54 to reduce the friction between flange 56 of door 12 _an d rack rod 54, as rack rod 54 moves vertically and drives the latch members 13 between their latcned and unlatched position. As such, racK rod 54 is not required to be fixedly connected to each latch member , but remains supported in inter-engaging and driving relation therewith.

In its complete assembled state, the multiple point cam-pinion latch system is controlled from the exteriorly accessible handle 16, wnich drives the controlling latch _. ^' member 22. In turn, controlling latch member 22 causes vertical movement in driving rack rod 54, which in turn causes simultaneous and synchronous pivotal movement of the remaining latch members IB.

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It is conceivable, although not shown in the drawings, that such a multiple point cam-pinion latch system could be adapted to provide latching on the top and bottom free peripheral edges of the door 12, as well as edge portion 20 thereof. A similar rack rod and plurality of combinational cam-pinion latch members could be mounted on the top and bottom, free peripheral edges of the door and interconnected with the existing latching system by means of a rotatable corner pinion or other bi-directional drive means for causing simultaneous movement of ail drive rack rods.

As best shown in Figs. 6-9, each combinational cam-pinion latch member includes a camming surface 53 wnich is designed to engage the body of the enclosure and draw the door 12 tightly thereagainst upon movement of lever 16 to cause such latch members 18 to rotate into their latching position. As can be best seen in Figs. 6 and 8, the camming surface 53 ramps upwardly from a point 60 to a plateau or latching surface 62, which is higher than the remaining portion of the latch, as measured from the base 65 thereof.

The operation of the multiple point cam-pinion latch system is Dest seen from Figs. 3-5. The system shown in the above figures is a three-point latching system having three pivotal combination cam-pinion latch memoers 13 equally spaced and mounted adjacent the free peripheral portion 20 of door 12. It should be understood, however, that any number of latch members 13 can be utilized for latching the door 12 evenly to the enclosure, depending on the desire of the manufacturer and the needs of the customer. ^• _»

In Figs . 3-5 , the center latch constitutes the controlling latch member 22, which connects to handle

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15 on the exterior surface oi tne door (not shown). Fig. 3 shows the multiple point cam-pinion latch system resting in an unlatched state, but with the door closed in such a position that rotation of handle 16 will cause each of the latcn members 13 to pivot and latch against the enclosure. As can oe seen in Fig. 3, at all times, the teeth 50 of eacn latcn member 13 inter- engages with apertures 52 in driving rack rod 54. Fig. 3 also shows the inwardly extending door flange 56 supporting racK rod 54 in disconnected but inter- engaging relationship with each latch member 13. The inter-engagement of teeth 50 of each latch member 13 with the apertures 52 of racK rod 54, and the support provided Dy the door flange 56, act to hold the racK rod 54 in an interlocked but disconnected position relative to the door 12 and latch members 13.

The enclosure 10 is constructed such that the door 12 overlaps the door opening-defining portions 63 thereof. Such opening-de ining portions 63 of enclosure ιo includes a peripheral lip portion 64 which extends outwardly from the enclosure and bends away from the door opening toward the peripheral portions of enclosure 10. Lip portion 64 is designed to extend outwardly from the enclosure a distant sufficient to allow each latch member 13 to pivot such that its camming surface enters the space created between said lip portion 64 and the body of the enclosure lϋ.

z^s shown in Fig. 4, as nandle 16 is rotated, controlling latch member 21 also Degins to rotate, thereby causing rack rod 54 to oegin sliding vertically. Rack rod 54, in turn, via its disconnected inter- engagement with each latch memDer 13, causes simulta¬ neous rotation of all such latch members 13.. As each latch member 13 rotates, its respective camming surface

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58 begins to rotate to a position between lip portion 64 and the body of enclosure 1 . Upon such rotation, the underside of lip portion 64 is engaged by the camming surface 53 of each latch member 13, near point 60 thereof. Further rotation of such latch members 13 causes a camming action between the camming surface 53 of each latch member 13 and lip portion 64, thereby drawing the door 12 into even and tightly sealed relation with the body of enclosure 10.

Finally, as shown in Fig. 5, upon completion of the rotation of handle 16, each latch member 13 is rotated into its fully latched position where the latching surface 62 thereof bears against the underside of lip portion 64 so as to cause maximum drawing force of the door 12 against the body of enclosure 10. Each latch member 18 has a stop surface 66 which abuts racx rod 54 when each latch member 18 has rotated into its fully latched position, thereby preventing such latch members 18 from turning further.

Although Figs . 3-5 disclose a plurality of such combinational cam-pinion latch members 18 positioned at spaced locations along the free peripheral portion 20 of door 12, it can be readily seen that, if necessary, such latch members 13 could also be mounted along the top and bottom peripheral edges of door 12. Such latching systems mounted along the various free peripheral edges of door 12 can be operated separately, or can include means for causing simultaneous movement and latching of all such latch members 13, thereby sealing the door 12 evenly against the body of enclosure 10 at all points around the door opening 63.

Because each latch member 13 and all other associated parts of the multiple point cam-pinion latch

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system are mounted to the door in such a position tnat they are disposed outside tne sealed interior ti tne enclosure when the door is closed and latched, there is no potential for leakage from the exterior ci tne enclosure 10 into the interior thereof. Each latch member 13 is mounted on a pin 40, which is welded to the inside surface of the door. Moreover, tne free peripheral portion 20 upon which each latcn memoer 18 is mounted overlaps the opening-defining portions 63 of the enclosure so as to facilitate latching oi each latch member 13 against the outwardly extending lip portion 64 of enclosure 10. ^~ \s such, all portions of the latch system are disposed outwardly of the sealed interior of the enclosure and do not create any leakage problems therein.

Shown in Fig. 12 is an alternative embodiment of our combinational cam-pinion latch, designated as number 68. Similar to latch 18, each alternative latch 63 includes a camming surface 70 and a plurality of pinion teeth 72. Each alternative latch 68 includes a central aperture 74 which fits over and mounts upon an associated stud 40 in the identical manner as latch 13.

The construction and function oi tne alternative latch 63 is highly similar to latcn _-a, with the following exception. ^s shown in Fig. 13, latch 63 is designed for use with an enclosure system which has a plurality of external mounting blocks 75 mounted on the exterior surface of enclosure frame 78. The construction and function of mounting blocks 76 are the subject of a co-pending patent application Serial NO. 07/799,547, entitled RESTRUCTURABLE ENCLOSURE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE MOUNTING BLOCKS, the contents oi wnicn are incorporated by reference thereto.

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As shown in Fig. 13, a mounting block 76 is mounted to the enclosure frame 73 in a position directly adjacent to the position of each cam-pinion latch 63. Bach mounting block 76 includes a bridge portion 30 which spans over a central recessed area 82, ^*' thereby creating a slot 84 therebetween. Upon closure of door 12 and rotation of handle 16, simultaneous rotation of all latch members 68 is effected, thereby causing the camming surface 70 of each latch member 68 to slide over the recessed area 82 of its adjacent mounting block 76 and under the bridge portion 30 thereof. As shown by phantom- lines in Fig. 13, the camming surface 70 of each latch 68 enters slot 84 and bears against the underside of the bridge portion 80 of its associated block 75, thereby urging the door 12 into evenly and tightly sealed relation with the enclosure body. Rather than the cam-pinion latch locking to lip 64 of the enclosure, it now locks to an associated mounting block 76.

Fig. 13 is provided to show the locking function of alternative latch 68. Drawings have not been included to show the specific rotation pattern of latch 68 from an unlatched position to its final latched position, because the manner in which such rotation is effected to substantially identical to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It is noted that rack rod 54 remains in disconnected but inter-engaging relation with each alternative latch 68, in the same manner as latch 18.

in considering this invention, of course, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention which comprises the matter shown ana described herein and set forth in the appended claims .

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