Latch (hardware)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A latch (called sneck in Northern England) is a type of mechanical fastener that is used to join two (or more) objects or surfaces together while allowing for the regular or eventual separation of the objects or surfaces.

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 cammed latches used to keep large doors closed. 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.

[edit] Common types of latches

• Spring
  • a) Passage/Privacy
  • b) Deadlatch (Entry) includes an extra tongue
  • c) Deadbolt latch (Single throw bolt)
• Slam latch: uses a spring and is activated by the shutting or slamming of a door. Like all latches, a slam latch is a mechanism to hold a door closed. Slam latch derives its name from its ability to slam doors and drawers shut without damaging the latch. A slam latch is rugged and ideal for industrial, agricultural and construction applications.
• Fixed Compression and Adjustable Compression Latch
• Draw (Over & Under-Center)
• Rotary
• Cam