U.S. patent application number 14/147625 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for oven appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to John Mark Chilton, Scott Thomas Kershner, Srisurya Prakash Pilli, Darren Allen Turner, John Adam Yantis.
Application Number | 20150192304 14/147625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53494862 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150192304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner; Darren Allen ; et
al. |
July 9, 2015 |
OVEN APPLIANCE
Abstract
An oven appliance with a latch assembly is provided. The latch
assembly includes a casing, an elongated member at least partially
positioned within the casing and a roller mounted to the elongated
member. The latch assembly can include various features for
reducing wear between components of the latch assembly, for
limiting or preventing damage to adjacent wiring and/or for
reducing noise generated by the latch assembly.
Inventors: |
Turner; Darren Allen;
(Louisville, KY) ; Yantis; John Adam; (Prospect,
KY) ; Chilton; John Mark; (Campbellsburg, KY)
; Kershner; Scott Thomas; (La Grange, KY) ; Pilli;
Srisurya Prakash; (Hyderabad, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
53494862 |
Appl. No.: |
14/147625 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/197 ;
312/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/022
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/02 20060101
F24C015/02; A47B 81/00 20060101 A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking
chamber; a pair of doors mounted to the cabinet; a roller latch
assembly comprising a casing; an elongated member at least
partially positioned within the casing, the elongated member
extending between a first end portion and a second end portion; a
roller mounted to the elongated member at the first end portion of
the elongated member, the roller engaging one of the pair of doors
or the cabinet when the pair of doors is in a closed position; a
bearing sleeve positioned on the elongated member at the second end
portion of the elongated member such that the bearing sleeve is
positioned between the elongated member and the casing at the
second end portion of the elongated member.
2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the roller latch assembly
further comprises a strike plate mounted to the one of the pair of
doors or the cabinet.
3. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the strike plate is
positioned below roller when the pair of doors is in the closed
position.
4. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the strike plate
comprises a first material and the roller comprises a second
material, the first material being harder than the second
material.
5. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the strike plate
comprises stainless steel and the roller comprises bronze.
6. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the roller latch assembly
further comprises a guard mounted to the casing and a nut threaded
onto the elongated member at the second end portion of the
elongated member, the guard at least partially enclosing the second
end portion of the elongated member and the nut.
7. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the guard is
substantially u-shaped in a plane that is perpendicular to a
vertical direction.
8. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a nut threaded
onto the elongated member at the second end portion of the
elongated member, wherein a position of the nut on the elongated
member is adjustable in order to change a vertical height of the
roller.
9. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the roller latch assembly
further comprises a biasing member positioned within the casing,
the biasing member urging the first end portion of the elongated
member towards the one of the pair of doors or the cabinet when the
pair of doors is in the closed position.
10. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the roller is a first
roller, the oven appliance further comprising a second roller, the
second roller mounted to the elongated member and positioned within
the casing, the second roller rolling on an inner surface of the
casing when the elongated member moves vertically.
11. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a dampening
element, the dampening element positioned between the casing and
the cabinet where the casing is mounted to the cabinet or between
the casing and the one of the pair of doors where the casing is
mounted to the one of the pair of doors.
12. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a grommet and
a nut threaded onto the elongated member at the second end portion
of the elongated member, the grommet positioned on the elongated
member such that the grommet is disposed between the casing and the
nut.
13. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking
chamber; a pair of doors mounted to the cabinet; a roller latch
assembly comprising a casing extending between a top portion and a
bottom portion; a threaded member at least partially positioned
within the casing, the threaded member extending between a first
end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the
threaded member positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the
casing, the second end portion of the threaded member positioned
adjacent the top portion of the casing; a roller mounted to the
threaded member at the first end portion of the threaded member,
the roller engaging one of the pair of doors or the cabinet when
the pair of doors is in a closed position; a nut threaded onto the
threaded member at the second end portion of the threaded member;
and a guard mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing,
the guard at least partially enclosing the second end portion of
the threaded member and the nut.
14. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the roller latch
assembly further comprises a bearing sleeve positioned on the
threaded member at the second end portion of the threaded member
such that the bearing sleeve is positioned between the threaded
member and the casing at the second end portion of the threaded
member.
15. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the roller latch
assembly further comprises a strike plate mounted to the one of the
pair of doors or the cabinet, the strike plate comprising a first
material and the roller comprising a second material, the first
material being harder than the second material.
16. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the guard is
substantially u-shaped in a plane that is perpendicular to a
vertical direction.
17. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a dampening
element, the dampening element positioned between the casing and
the cabinet where the casing is mounted to the cabinet or between
the casing and the one of the pair of doors where the casing is
mounted to the one of the pair of doors.
18. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a grommet,
the grommet positioned on the threaded member such that the grommet
is disposed between the casing and the nut.
19. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking
chamber; a pair of doors mounted to the cabinet; a roller latch
assembly comprising a casing mounted to the cabinet or one of the
pair of doors; a dampening element positioned between the casing
and the cabinet where the casing is mounted to the cabinet or
between the casing and one of the pair of doors where the casing is
mounted to the one of the pair of doors; an elongated member at
least partially positioned within the casing, the elongated member
extending between a first end portion and a second end portion; and
a roller mounted to the elongated member at the first end portion
of the elongated member, the roller engaging the one of the pair of
doors or the cabinet when the pair of doors is in a closed
position.
20. The oven appliance of claim 19, wherein the roller latch
assembly further comprises a bearing sleeve positioned on the
elongated member at the second end portion of the elongated member
such that the bearing sleeve is positioned between the elongated
member and the casing at the second end portion of the elongated
member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to oven
appliance, such as French door oven appliances, and latch
assemblies for the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oven appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber for receipt of food articles for cooking and an
opening for accessing the cooking chamber. Certain oven appliances
include a pair of doors rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the
opening to permit selective access to the cooking chamber through
the opening. Oven appliances having such doors are generally
referred to as French door style oven appliances.
[0003] French door style oven appliances generally include a gasket
extending between the doors and the cabinet at the opening of the
cabinet when the doors are in a closed position. The gasket can
assist with insulating the cooking chamber and/or with containing
cooking fumes within the cooking chamber. To keep the doors
compressed against the gasket, certain French door style oven
appliances include a latch assembly that holds the doors in the
closed position. Such latch assemblies can suffer certain
shortcomings.
[0004] Latch assemblies generally include components that rub
against each other during latching operations. Such rubbing can
gouge, scratch or otherwise wear on the components and can affect a
reliability of the latch assemblies. Further, an associated oven
appliance's cosmetic appearance and/or perceived quality can be
affected by such wearing. Latch assemblies are also generally
positioned within the cabinet adjacent wiring or other control
components. During motion of the latch assembly, components of the
latch assembly can rub against or pinch such wiring, and the wiring
can be damaged. Motion of the latch assemblies can be noisy as
well.
[0005] Accordingly, a latch assembly for an oven appliance with
features for reducing wear between components of the latch assembly
would be useful. In addition, a latch assembly for an oven
appliance with features for limiting or preventing damage to
adjacent wiring would be useful. Further, a latch assembly for an
oven appliance with features for reducing noise generated by the
latch assembly would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present subject matter provides an oven appliance that
includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a casing, an
elongated member at least partially positioned within the casing
and a roller mounted to the elongated member. The latch assembly
can include various features for reducing wear between components
of the latch assembly, for limiting or preventing damage to
adjacent wiring and/or for reducing noise generated by the latch
assembly. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the following description, or may be
apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice
of the invention.
[0007] In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber. A pair of doors is mounted to the cabinet. A
roller latch assembly includes a casing. An elongated member is at
least partially positioned within the casing. The elongated member
extends between a first end portion and a second end portion. A
roller is mounted to the elongated member at the first end portion
of the elongated member. The roller engages one of the pair of
doors when the pair of doors is in a closed position. A bearing
sleeve is positioned on the elongated member at the second end
portion of the elongated member such that the bearing sleeve is
positioned between the elongated member and the casing at the
second end portion of the elongated member.
[0008] In a second exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber. A pair of doors is mounted to the cabinet. A
roller latch assembly includes a casing. The casing extends between
a top portion and a bottom portion. A threaded member is at least
partially positioned within the casing. The threaded member extends
between a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end
portion of the threaded member is positioned adjacent the bottom
portion of the casing. The second end portion of the threaded
member is positioned adjacent the top portion of the casing. A
roller is mounted to the threaded member at the first end portion
of the threaded member. The roller engages one of the pair of doors
when the pair of doors is in a closed position. A nut is threaded
onto the threaded member at the second end portion of the threaded
member. A guard is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the
casing. The guard at least partially encloses the second end
portion of the threaded member and the nut.
[0009] In a third exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber. A pair of doors is mounted to the cabinet. A
roller latch assembly includes a casing mounted to the cabinet or
one of the pair of doors. A dampening element is positioned between
the casing and the cabinet where the casing is mounted to the
cabinet or where the casing is mounted to the one of the pair of
doors. An elongated member is at least partially positioned within
the casing. The elongated member extends between a first end
portion and a second end portion. A roller is mounted to the
elongated member at the first end portion of the elongated member.
The roller engages the one of the pair of doors when the pair of
doors is in a closed position.
[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0012] FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of an oven
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a side, section view of the exemplary oven
appliance of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 provides a partial section view of certain components
of the exemplary oven appliance of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a roller latch
assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 5 provides an exploded view of the exemplary roller
latch assembly of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides a section view of the exemplary roller latch
assembly of FIG. 4 taken along the 6-6 line of FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 7 provides another perspective view of the exemplary
roller latch assembly of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an oven appliance 10 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Cabinet 12
defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a
transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse
directions V, L, and T are mutually perpendicular and form an
orthogonal direction system. Cabinet 12 extends between a top
portion 40 and a bottom portion 42 along the vertical direction
V.
[0021] Oven appliance 10 includes an insulated cabinet 12 with an
interior surface 25 that defines a cooking chamber 14. Cooking
chamber 14 is configured for the receipt of one or more food items
to be cooked. Oven appliance 10 also includes a pair of doors 16
rotatably mounted on cabinet 12 proximate an opening 15 to chamber
14 defined by cabinet 12. Thus, oven appliance 10 is sometimes
referred to as a French door style oven appliance. Doors 16 are
configured for selectively shifting between an open position or
configuration shown in FIG. 1 in which a user can access cooking
chamber 14 and a closed position or configuration shown in FIG. 2
in which the user is impeded from accessing cooking chamber 14 by
doors 16. Handles 18 are attached to doors 16 and assist with
shifting doors 16 between the open and closed positions.
[0022] One or more gaskets 20 between doors 16 and cabinet 12
provide for maintaining heat and cooking fumes within chamber 14
when doors 16 are in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2. Glass
panes 22 provide for viewing the contents of chamber 14 when doors
16 are in the closed position as well as providing insulation
between chamber 14 and the exterior of oven appliance 10. A rack 24
is positioned in chamber 14 for the receipt of food items. Rack 24
is slidably received onto ribs/rails 26 such that rack 24 may be
conveniently moved into and out of chamber 14 when doors 16 are
open. Multiple rails 26 are provided so that the height of rack 24
may be adjusted.
[0023] Heating elements 28 and 30 are positioned within chamber 14
of cabinet 12. Heating elements 28 and 30 are used to heat chamber
14 for both cooking and cleaning of oven appliance 10. The
operation of oven appliance 10 including heating elements 28 and 30
is controlled by one or more processing devices (not shown) such as
a microprocessor other device that is in communication with such
components. User manipulated controls 29 on control panel 31 allow
the user to make selections regarding temperature, time, and other
options. The selections can be communicated to the processing
device for operation of oven appliance 10. Such processing device
is also in communication with a temperature sensor 32 that is used
to measure temperature inside chamber 14. Although only one
temperature sensor 32 is shown, it should be understood that
multiple sensors can be placed within oven appliance 10 for
determining the oven temperature.
[0024] Oven appliance 10 is provided by way of example only. Thus,
the present subject matter may be used in any other suitable oven
appliance configuration. For example, the present subject matter
may be used in oven range appliances or in oven appliances that
define multiple interior cavities for the receipt of food and/or
have different pan or rack arrangements than the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Heating elements at the top, back, or
sides of chamber 14 may also be provided, and a variety of
different types of heating elements such as microwave, halogen, gas
fuel, electrical resistance, and combinations thereof may be used.
Other configurations may also be used as will be understood by one
of skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.
[0025] FIG. 3 provides a partial section view of certain components
of oven appliance 10. As may be seen in FIG. 3, oven appliance 10
includes a roller latch assembly 100. Roller latch assembly 100
includes features for holding or maintaining doors 16 in the closed
position and, e.g., compressing gaskets 20 between doors 16 and
cabinet 12. In particular, as discussed in greater detail below,
roller latch assembly 100 includes strike plate 102 and a first
roller 130. Strike plate 102 is mounted or fixed to one of doors
16. For example, strike plate 102 may be positioned, e.g.,
directly, below first roller 130 when doors 16 are in the closed
position.
[0026] First roller 130 engages strike plate 102 on the one of
doors 16 when doors 16 are in the closed position. By engaging
strike plate 102, first roller 130 hinders or prevents undesired
opening of doors 16. From the position shown in FIG. 3, a user can
pull on one of doors 16 to open doors 16. Such action can move door
16 and cause first roller 130 to move upwardly on strike plate 102
until strike plate 102 passes from underneath roller latch assembly
100 and doors 16 can rotate freely.
[0027] Strike plate 102 and first roller 130 can be constructed to
limit wear between strike plate 102 and first roller 130, e.g.,
when first roller 130 rolls on or impacts strike plate 102. For
example, strike plate 102 may be constructed of or with a first
material, and first roller 130 may be constructed of or with a
second material. The first material may be harder than the second
material. In particular, the first material may be stainless steel,
such as Type 301, half hard stainless steel, and the second
material may be bronze, such as Type 630 nickel aluminum bronze.
Thus, strike plate 102 may be constructed with a harder material
than first roller 130. In such a manner, wear damage between strike
plate 102 and first roller 130 can be limited or reduced. Further,
gouging or scratching of strike plate 102 due to contact with first
roller 130 can be limited or reduced.
[0028] Roller latch assembly 100 can be positioned at any suitable
location on or within cabinet 12. For example, at shown in FIG. 3,
roller latch assembly 100 may be positioned at or adjacent control
panel 31. Thus, roller latch assembly 100 may be positioned at or
adjacent top portion 40 of cabinet 12, and strike plate 102 may be
mounted to a top surface of one of doors 16. In alternative
exemplary embodiments, roller latch assembly 100 may be positioned
at or adjacent bottom portion 42 of cabinet 12, and strike plate
102 may be mounted to a bottom surface of one of doors 16. In other
alternative exemplary embodiments, roller latch assembly 100 may be
positioned within one of doors 16, and strike plate 102 may be
mounted to cabinet 12.
[0029] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of roller latch assembly
100. FIG. 5 provides an exploded view of roller latch assembly 100.
It should be understood that roller latch assembly 100 can be used
in any suitable oven appliance. Thus, while described in the
context of oven appliance 10, roller latch assembly 100 is not
limited to use in any particular oven appliance configuration or
arrangement.
[0030] As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, roller latch assembly 100
includes a casing 110, an elongated or threaded member 120 and a
nut 140. Casing 110 is mountable to cabinet 12, e.g., as shown in
FIG. 3. In particular, casing 110 includes brackets 118. Fasteners
(not shown) may extend through brackets 118 into cabinet 12 in
order to assist with mounting casing 110 to cabinet 12. In
alternative exemplary embodiments, casing 110 may be mounted to
cabinet 12 with adhesive, welding, etc.
[0031] Casing 110 defines an interior 112 (FIG. 6). Casing 110 also
extends between a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116, e.g.,
along the vertical direction V. A first opening 152 is defined by
casing 110 at top portion 114 of casing 110, and a second opening
154 is defines by casing 110 at bottom portion 116 of casing 110.
Interior 112 extends between first and second opening 114 and 116
within casing 110.
[0032] Threaded member 120 is at least partially positioned or
disposed within interior 112 of casing 110. Threaded member 120
extends between a first end portion 122 and a second end portion
124, e.g., along the vertical direction V. First end portion 122 of
threaded member 120 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 116
of casing 110 and second opening 154 of casing 110. Second end
portion 124 of threaded member 120 is positioned at or adjacent top
portion 114 of casing 110 and first opening 152 of casing 110.
[0033] First roller 130 is mounted to threaded member 120 at first
end portion 122 of threaded member 120. In particular, threaded
member 120 includes a hitch 134 at first end portion 122 of
threaded member 120. First roller 130 and a second roller 132 are
rotatably mounted to hitch 134 with axles 136 at first end portion
122 of threaded member 120.
[0034] Roller latch assembly 100 also includes a biasing member
142. Biasing member 142 is positioned within interior 112 of casing
110. Biasing member 142 engages threaded member 120 and urges first
end portion 122 of threaded member 120 and first roller 130 towards
the one of doors 16 when doors 16 are in the closed position.
Biasing mechanism 142 can be any suitable mechanism for urging
first end portion 122 of threaded member 120 and first roller 130
towards the one of doors 16 when doors 16 are in the closed
position. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, biasing mechanism 142
may be a helical spring. As another example, biasing mechanism 142
may be a gas spring or an elastic band.
[0035] Nut 140 is threaded onto threaded member 120 at second end
portion 124 of threaded member 120. Nut 140 rests on or impacts
casing 110 at top portion 114 of casing 110 and first opening 152
of casing 110. A position of nut 140 on threaded member 120 is
adjustable, e.g., by rotating nut 140 on threaded member 120, in
order to change a vertical height of first roller 130. For example,
by rotating nut 140 in a first rotational direction on threaded
member 120, a distance between nut 140 and first roller 130, e.g.,
along the vertical direction V, can be reduced. Conversely, by
rotating nut 140 in a second opposite rotational direction on
threaded member 120, the distance between nut 140 and first roller
130, e.g., along the vertical direction V, can be increased. In
such a manner, a travel of first roller 130, e.g., along the
vertical direction V, can be adjusted.
[0036] Roller latch assembly 100 also includes a bushing or bearing
sleeve 150. Bearing sleeve 150 is positioned on threaded member
120, e.g., at second end portion 124 of threaded member 120.
Bearing sleeve 150 is also positioned between threaded member 120
and casing 110, e.g., at second end portion 124 of threaded member
120 and first opening 152 of casing 110. Bearing sleeve 150 may be
mounted or fixed to casing 110 or elongated member 120.
[0037] Bearing sleeve 150 can reduce wear between casing 110 and
threaded member 120. In particular, bearing sleeve 150 can limit or
prevent elongated member 120 from contact or rubbing against casing
110, e.g., at second end portion 124 of threaded member 120 and
first opening 152 of casing 110, during motion of elongated member
120 relative to casing 110. For example, during opening or closing
of doors 16, strike plate 102 and biasing member 142 can move first
roller 130 and elongated member 120, e.g., along the vertical
direction V, relative to casing 110. By positioning bearing sleeve
150 between threaded member 120 and casing 110, bearing sleeve 150
can limit or prevent elongated member 120 from contact or rubbing
against casing 110 during motion of elongated member 120 relative
to casing 110.
[0038] Casing 110 can be constructed of or with any suitable
material. For example, casing 110 may be constructed of or with
steel. Similarly, elongated member 120 can be constructed of or
with any suitable material. For example, elongated member 120 may
be constructed of or with steel. Bearing sleeve 150 can be
constructed of a softer material than casing 110 and/or elongated
member 120. For example, bearing sleeve 150 may be constructed of
or with bronze.
[0039] Roller latch assembly 100 further includes a guard 146
mounted to casing 110. For example, guard 146 may be integrally
mounted casing 110, e.g., such that guard 146 and a portion of
casing 110 are formed from a single continuous piece of material,
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As another example, guard 146 may be as
separate component removably mounted casing 110, e.g., in order to
permit easier access second end portion 124 of threaded member 120
and nut 140.
[0040] Guard 146 at least partially encloses second end portion 124
of threaded member 120 and nut 140, e.g., by extending away from
top portion 114 of casing 110 past second end portion 124 of
threaded member 120 and nut 140 along the vertical direction V.
Thus, guard 146 at least partially encloses or surrounds second end
portion 124 of threaded member 120 and nut 140, e.g., in a plane
that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. In such a
manner, guard 146 can assist with hindering or preventing wiring or
other components of oven appliance 10 from becoming pinched between
nut 140 and casing 110, rubbing against threaded member 120 or
otherwise contacting moving components of roller latch assembly
100. Guard 146 can have any suitable shape. For example, guard 146
may be substantially u-shaped, e.g., in a plane that is
perpendicular to the vertical direction V.
[0041] FIG. 6 provides a section view of roller latch assembly 100.
As may be seen in FIG. 6, second roller 132 is mounted to threaded
member 120 and positioned within interior 112 of casing 110. Second
roller 132 rolls on an inner surface 113 of casing 110, e.g., when
threaded member 120 moves along the vertical direction V relative
to casing 110. Second roller 132 can extend almost across a width
of interior 112 of casing 110 in order to limit of prevent movement
of first roller 130, e.g., perpendicularly to the vertical
direction V, when first roller 130 impacts or engages strike plate
102.
[0042] FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of roller latch assembly
100. In FIG. 7, roller latch assembly 100 includes additional sound
dampening features. For example, in FIG. 7, roller latch assembly
100 includes a grommet 160. Grommet 160 is positioned on threaded
member 120, e.g., at second end portion 124 of threaded member 120,
and is also disposed between casing 110 and nut 140. Grommet 160
may be constructed of a soft material, such as rubber. In such
manner, grommet 160 can limit or hinder sound generation by roller
latch assembly 100, e.g., due to metal on metal contact between
casing 110 and nut 140.
[0043] Roller latch assembly 100 also includes dampening elements
162. Dampening elements 162 are positioned between casing 110 and
cabinet 12 where casing 110 is mounted to cabinet 12. Dampening
elements 162 may be constructed of a soft material, such as rubber.
In such manner, dampening elements 162 can limit or hinder sound
generation by roller latch assembly 100, e.g., due to metal on
metal contact between casing 110 and cabinet 12 and/or by assisting
with isolating roller latch assembly 100 from cabinet 12.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *