DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to FIG. 1 which illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a self-latching slide door (“slide door”) apparatus 100 . The slide door 100 includes a main body 110 that is typically a hollow rectangular body having a length L, the length L being long enough to place items on the lower inner surface of the body 110 .

[0034] One end of the body 110 is connected to a front panel 105 that is typically wider and higher than the body 110 . The front panel includes an aperture 150 providing an opening to the main body 115 . The front panel 105 further includes an upper support rail 115 and a lower support rail 120 . The front panel 105 also includes two end lips 106 protruding from the front surface of the front panel 105 that provide lateral support for the upper and lower support rails 115 , 120 . An elongated lip (not shown, but shown below) on the upper support rail 115 and an elongated lip 125 on the lower support rail 120 form a track space 126 on which slide doors 130 can travel side to side as indicated by arrow 145 . One or both of the doors 130 typically also include a plate 131 that covers the space formed between the doors 130 , when the doors 130 are closed.

[0035] The upper support rail 115 further includes notches 116 and latch stops 117 . The notches 116 are adapted to receive latches 140 that are respectively connected to the doors 130 through brackets 135 . FIG. 1 illustrates one notch 116 on either side of the aperture. Further notches can be located along the upper support rail 115 . The latches 140 rotate with respect to the brackets 135 about a pin 136 . Furthermore, the latches 140 are spring loaded on the brackets 135 . The latches 140 include an engagement portion 140 a and a handle portion 140 b.

[0036] Referring still to FIG. 1 , one door 130 is shown in the open state with the engagement portion 140 a of the latch 140 resting on the upper support rail 115 . The other door 130 is shown in the closed and locked state with engagement portion 140 a of the latch 140 engaged with the notch 116 . As described above, the latches 140 are spring loaded biased to provide the force against the upper support rail so that when the engagement portion 140 a passes by a notch 116 , the latch engages the notch and locks itself into place. When a user desires to open the doors 130 , the suer provides a force in the opposite direction of the spring bias by pressing downward on the handle portion 140 b of the latch 140 . This downward force removes the engagement portion 140 a from the notch 116 , thereby unlocking the doors 130 . The user can then slide the doors 130 along the track space 126 . Once the engagement portions 140 b are clear of the notches 116 , the user can release the handle portions 140 b which biases the engagement portion 140 a against the upper support rail 115 . As described above, the upper support rail 115 can further include other notches so that the doors can be locked in various positions along the upper support rail 115 . Notches can also be provided at the ends of the upper support rail 115 in order to lock the doors 130 into the open state. When the user desires to close the doors 130 , the user can simply engage the doors 130 anywhere on the doors 130 and slide the doors 130 along the track space 126 until the engagement portions 140 a engage the notches 116 and lock the doors 130 into place. The latch stops 117 protrude past the outer edge of the upper support rail 115 to ensure that either door 130 does not overshoot the notches 116 . Once the doors 130 are closed and locked into position, the plate 131 covers the space formed between the doors 130 , thereby preventing a prisoner from sticking anything through the space.

[0037] A back panel 170 is shown in a simulated position. The back panel 170 is adapted to fit over the rear portion of the main body 110 to affix to a prison door over the prison door opening as described further below.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-latching slide door apparatus 100 positioned within a portion of a prison door 160 . The main body 110 fits through the prison door aperture 161 and is secured to the prison door with the rear panel 170 . Therefore, the prison door 160 is sandwiched between the front panel 105 and the rear panel. Standard connecting techniques such as welding can affix the slide door 100 into place. It is also understood that the slide door apparatus 100 can be made to be an integral part of the prison door 160 . As described above, the front panel 105 is higher and wider than the main body 110 that is fitted into the aperture 161 . The higher and wider proportions of the front panel 105 helps to ensure that any spacing created when the main body 110 is affixed into the aperture is covered.

[0039] The main body 110 is shown connected to the front panel 105 . Also shown in FIG. 2 is the upper support rail 105 with a top view of the notches 116 and the latch stop. Both doors (not shown) are in the opened state and the engagement portions 140 a of the latches 140 are resting on the upper support rail 115 . The end lips 106 support the upper (and lower) support track 115 . A portion of the brackets 135 is also shown.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of embodiment of a self-latching slide door apparatus 100 in an open state. In this open state the doors 130 are fully opened with the engagement portions 140 a of the latches 140 free from the notches 116 and resting against the upper support rail 115 . As described above, the latches 140 are spring loaded within the brackets 135 and rotate about the pins 136 . The doors 130 and plate 131 are cleared of the aperture 150 . In this front view, both the upper and lower support rails 115 , 120 are shown. Both the upper and lower elongated lips 118 , 125 are shown forming the track space (not shown) in which the doors 130 travel. The aperture 150 is fully exposed and a food tray 155 is shown in a simulated position within the main body 110 .

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of embodiment of a self-latching slide door apparatus 100 in a closed state. In this closed state the doors 130 are fully closed with the engagement portions 140 a of the latches 140 engaged with the notches 116 and resting against the latch stops 117 . As described above, the latches 140 are spring loaded within the brackets 135 and rotate about the pins 136 . The doors 130 completely close the aperture (not shown) and the plate 131 covers the majority of the space 171 formed between the closed doors 130 . The plate 131 can vary in size to cover more or less of the space 171 as needed. In this front view, further surface portions 107 of the front panel 105 are shown.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up side view of an embodiment of a latch 140 and a partial side view of a self-latching slide door apparatus 100 . The latch 140 is pivotally connected to the bracket 135 by the pin 136 . The bracket 135 is connected to the door 130 that is situated between the upper and lower support rails 115 , 120 , both connected to the front panel 105 , and held within the track 126 by the upper and lower elongated lips 118 , 125 . As described above, the latch includes an engagement portion 140 a and a handle portion 140 b . The engagement portion 140 a of the latch 140 is shown connected within the notch 116 in its biased spring loaded position. The latch 140 is also shown in phantom in a position when the engagement portion 140 a is disengaged with the notch 116 .

[0043] The embodiments for the slide door apparatus discussed above have been with respect for prison doors. It is understood that the embodiments can also be implemented in other embodiments for doors, walls and the like that involve the passing of items. For examples, the embodiments discussed above can be implemented in mental wards or other establishments requiring item pass throughs. It is also understood that the embodiments described above can be implemented in any type of establishment including non-security establishments.

[0044] In typical implementations, the slide door apparatus the slide door apparatus is constructed of heavy metallic materials. In non-security implementations, the slide door apparatus can be manufactured with lighter materials.

[0045] The embodiments described above implemented two slide doors to cover the aperture of the main body. In other embodiments, a single door can be used to cover the aperture. One latch connected to the door could be used to self-latch the door.

[0046] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.

[0047] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.