The bolt latch, also known as a crossbar, is composed of two adjacent surfaces fastened by a bolt which physically prevents them from opening. This is one of the most basic latches available. Also one of the most common latches, the bolt latch is used on inspection panels, gates, hotel, house and other hinged doors.
Bolt latches are commonly used latches with a simple design of two components. Types of bolt latches can be single bolt, double bolt and cane bolt and are used for doors, gates and other compartments requiring closings. Latches typically join two separate components which allowing for regular separation and rejoining of the objects or surfaces. Latches are typically designed to be opened and closed with some ease, but also to provide a secure closure when fitted. Bolt latches are made from a number of different strong and durable metals such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, zinc, cast iron and more. For applications including exposure to elements of weather and outdoors, corrosion resistance is an important factor. While most industrial latches are required to be fairly heavy duty, for lighter weight applications, plastic latches can be used. Bolt latches can be used as a singular latching device, or they can be combined with and fitted into a barrel, rotary, slam or spring pull system. A simple bolt latch consists of two plates and one or more bolts or pins. The two plates are each securely attached to an adjacent surface, such as a door and the frame of the door. Each plate has a corresponding cleat through which a pin, or bolt, is inserted. When the pin goes through both of the cleats, the latch is secure and the door or moving component of the system is restricted from opening or moving. The latch is then disengaged simply by pulling the pin out of one cleat and allowing for the parting of the surfaces.
A wide variety of closure requirements can implement both simple and more complex bolt latches in order to ensure secure closings. Gates, both wooden and metal, doors of buildings and vehicles, compartments in larger systems, containers such as boxes or drums etc. all utilize latches. Bolt latches are available in a range of sizes and strengths and these will be chosen dependent on the intended application of a bolt. While most bolt latches are composed of the simple system described above, there are a number of more complex bolt options. Spring latches can be used which incorporate an angled bolt edge that engages the spring when the door is closed and secures it. To disengage the latch, a handle is turned which then retracts the spring, allowing the door to be opened. Cane bolt latches are also a type of spring loaded latch in which the spring pushes the pin through the cleats. Bolt latches are typically manufactured using metal plating or metal stamping to produce the parts, and spot welding is used as a finishing process, and to assemble the latches.
