Types of Door Latches
Latches are made of various materials in various thicknesses, finishes, and finishes to meet the specific requirements of engineering. For instance, engineers can select a galvanized latch to prevent corrosion and maintain the durability in harsh environments.
Other specifications include the degree of security required for the application. For instance the hook lock latch is more secure than a hasp, and could require the use of a padlock.
Hook and Eye Latch
The hook and eye latch is a simple way to lock gates, doors, windows cabinets and sheds. It's also ideal for securing storm panels, porches, and screens. There aren't any fancy tools needed and hooks can be screwed into place by hand in minutes. The screw points are sharp and will pierce into wood quickly and easily for added security and stability.
To determine the right hook size, first identify the hook type. Crosby Group (c): Look near the eye or the clevis for the type of hook embossed and size. van hooklocks in inches is on one side, and the size in mm is on the other. The clevis grabber hook features an clevis that can be attached directly to chain while the eye rigging has a large, angled eye for use with synthetics or wire rope. Pewag(c): The hook type, the size in millimeters and the alloy grade is embossed on the lower portion of the bowl. CMCO Columbus McKinnon(c): Look for "HA 800" or HA 800-1000" and the hook's size embossed on the lower side of the bowl near the clevis.
Laclede(c) sells the Cartec chain hook. It is easy to identify because it features "Cartec" raised embossed at the bottom of the bowl, and safety red or orange. Gunnebo(c) and CMCO Columbus McKinnon both have their names embossed on the lower portion of the hook bowl. Gunnebo also has the swivel hook, that is identified by an "ELD" midway across the bowl. The hook is equipped with a large eye that can distribute round and web slings.
Clevis Latch
A clevis latch allows the user to connect a clevis hook to an anchor point, and it also helps prevent the hook from coming loose during a load transfer. Clevis latches can be found in a variety of styles, including ones that have spring-loaded handles and those with a safety lock. This latter is perfect for use with slip hooks, as they guarantee that the load won't come off the hook unless an inward force is applied. This feature makes slip hooks with clevis compatible with ASME B30.9 Slings standards and OSHA regulations.
A standard clevis lock has an clevis pin that has the tang at one end and a shaped head at the other. These clevises are typically constructed of steel to provide strength for the latch they are usually coated with zinc, silver, or chrome. They are often coated with silver, zinc or chromium, to resist corrosion. They can also be made harder.
These latches can be used for different purposes, from connecting chains to rigging equipment to secure loads in trailers and pickup trucks. They are also utilized for heavy duty applications, such as the securement of machinery and cranes.
Certain clevises have been made with folded pieces while others are made of machined pieces. Their bases have holes that are threaded or not and they can be attached to other components using a clevis bolt or a hanger for clevis.
The clevis pin is usually threaded, but it can be fitted into a hole that's smooth or slotted. The pin has a larger diameter than bolts, and is designed to handle large shearing stresses and can take on an axial load.
Many clevis latches are hardened to withstand the stress and vibration of use in harsh environments. Some are designed for overhead lifting. This means that they can support more weight than non-hardened models. A hardened latch may also be plated with a variety of metals such as silver or nickel to enhance its resistance to corrosion. They can be powder coated or painted to enhance color and their appearance.
Self-closing Lock
The locking mechanism could be as complex or as simple as the overall design. The majority of the latches are constructed from metals to ensure durability and strength. Latches that are painted or powder coated can also improve their appearance. No matter the material used in their manufacture latches should be able to withstand the bending, shearing and the forces of impact. The thickness of the barrels, backing plates and cams are the primary factors in determining if they're medium-, light-, or heavy duty.
It is important to select the latch depending on your security requirements as well as the type of enclosure or door that you will be attaching it to. For example, a lightweight garden gate can be secured using hook latches, while a sturdy shed door requires a padlock and hasp combination.
If you have a self-closing latch or no the most important factor is to ensure that it is shut properly. This will reduce the chance of accidental disengagement which can cause injuries on the job site. If you are not sure if the hook is ready to be loaded, look for a lock with an internal trigger or stop mechanism.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the hand. Some designs of rotary, bolt, and slam latches are designed to be left-handed or right-handed. Left-handed latches are typically placed in the middle of the latch on doors facing inwards toward the interior. The right-handed models are placed on the outside of the door and are employed on doors that open outwards from the interior of the building.
There are also specialized tools that can bypass the Adams Rite style commercial door locking latches found on many trucks and bus. These devices enter the assembly through a cutout located on the door's side next to the latch. They then pull on the swing bar to pull the latch back. You can locate these tools on the internet or in most hardware stores that stock Adams Rite latch products.
Keyed Latch
Latches are used to close gates and doors. There are various types of latches. Each type is designed to serve a specific purpose. Common door latches include hook and clevis, cam compression and Rotary latches. Some latches are also equipped with locking mechanisms, such as a keyed lock or panic bar. Latches can be made of different materials, with metals being the most sought-after. They may also be subjected to further processes to improve their surface quality. Typical finishes for latches include plating, polishing, powder coating, and painting.
Keyed latches are made of an cylinder that requires an unlocking key. The pins and tumblers in the cylinders are aligned with the cut on the key to unlock the latch. Certain locks come with additional features, such as anti-pick or anti-drill security.
A hasp is a latch that consists of a metal band and a staple. The staple is attached by a hinge to the other end of the strap with slots in it. Latches can be made from other materials, like rubbers and plastics however, metals are often utilized due to their formability, machinability, and strength.
Metal is the most commonly used material used in door latches however, there are a few exceptions. For instance some latches are constructed using plastics to lessen the weight of a door or to meet other requirements for design. Different types of latches are designed for specific purposes such as latches designed to be operated by pushing a lever or handle, enabling emergency exits in buildings and other settings.
There are two types of door latches including levers and knobs. Knobs are typically found on older doors while levers are more prevalent in modern designs. Some latches are reversible which means they can be opened from either side, which is particularly useful for interior doors where there are no windows. A the pawl latch is a straightforward type of cam latch which can be locked by the quarter-turn and unlocked using reverse quarter-turn. It is typically used in electronic enclosures, buses, trailers, trucks, and RVs.