Selective self-locking deadbolt latch

摘要

A selectively self-locking deadbolt latch for incorporation into doors or the like. The latch can be preliminarily "armed" such that as the door closes the bolt will extend into the opening of the door strike. The latch mechanism includes a cam lever having a shoulder which loads against the bolt extension. A compression spring within the bolt urges the bolt towards the locked position once the cam lever is released from the bolt extension by closing the door. The temporary retraction of the bolt as it engages the door strike releases the bolt and cam lever. A beam spring acting on the cam lever urges the cam lever forward towards the locked position. The bolt is initially armed by turning the inner turn lever slightly or by depressing the end of the bolt which includes chamfered edges to allow the bolt to move past the door strike for release.