Latching mechanism for a closure with a disconnectable handle and a

Abstract

A latching mechanism for mounting on a closure, such as a storm door. The mechanism includes an inside housing with a latch movably mounted on the inside housing and including a tongue movable between a latching position for engaging the striker plate defining the doorway, and an unlatching position in which the tongue permits opening of the door. An operating shaft extends through the closure and the inside housing and is pivotally mounted with respect to them. Inside and outside operators are mounted on the shaft. A cam is rotatable with the shaft and is axially slidable with respect to the shaft between an operative position in which the cam is located to move the tongue toward its unlatching position, and an inoperative position in which rotation of the cam does not cause movement of the tongue. The latching mechanism further includes a slide lock for movement by the operator between a locking position in which the slide causes the cam to be placed in its inoperative position and an unlocking position in which the cam is permitted to be in its operative position. The slide includes an abutment which, when the slide is in its locking position, is in alignment with the tongue to positively prevent the tongue from moving to its unlatching position, thereby providing a dead bolt function.