Toggle latches have been in use for years now and they constitute a basic lock and latch design. The latch mechanism is the simplest way to connect and lock two planes. The general use is seen on boxes or surfaces where one edge is hinged.
Let’s understand it first with an example. Take a box that opens from the top. If you closely look at the box, one end has hinges. One end of the hinge is attached to the surface and the other edge is free and can move. The hinge allows the oblique motion of the top part and supports the upward and downward motion of the lid. But that is not enough when you want to make the box secure. So, you need a locking mechanism in place to secure the box. In such a scenario, a toggle latch works best.
One may use a single toggle latch or multiple toggle latches to secure the box and make it safe to store precious items. If you are also looking for some fastening method, make sure that you read all about the toggle latch here before you buy one.
What Are Toggle Latches And How Do They Work?
To understand the working of the toggle latch, you must understand the components. The toggle latch comprises 3 main components.
- The base plate is a simple component that attaches to a surface or plane.
- The loop and lever are also attached to the base plate.
- The catch plate has a closed-loop or other forms to catch the lever.
The latch is very simple to use and requires minimal force to operate. As already mentioned, these latches are used for securing boxes or chests. So, it uses technology that gives full security of the box. It is mechanical hardware that consists of a base plate with a lever, loop, and catch plate. When the loop is attached to the catch plate, it secures the surfaces or panels. In this case, your surfaces will lock together, and no one can open them without breaking them. When the loop detaches from the catch plate, it is called an open position. And one can separate the surfaces or panels from the base simply by lifting them.
Toggle Latches |
Types Of Toggle Latches:
The latches are broadly classified based on size. The groups range from extra small-size latches to extra-large ones. But it doesn't matter if you are selecting a small size or a large size latch because the durability of the latches depends on the design and not the size. However, if you mount a small size latch on a big box surface, it will look odd. And sometimes, the latch will not hold the surfaces properly. So, let us understand the different types of designs.
- Rigid claw – the rigid claws are not adjustable but impart high resilience.
- Spring claw – these latches have a coiled spring attached to the lever to unlock easily. The main application of the latches is for baby-proofing.
- Flexible latch – similar to a spring latch, a flexible latch is a heavy-duty product. But it is more versatile than the spring claws.
Apart from this, the toggle latches are categorized in terms of the materials used.
- Stainless steel – stainless steel is used to secure the fastening of surfaces exposed to high humidity. Being anti-corrosive, the latches made from steel are very durable.
- Bronze and bronze alloys – bronze is also corrosion-resistant and durable. But what catches the attention is the aesthetic design.
- Aluminum – Aluminum is a very durable and lightweight metal with clean finesse.
- Non-metallic – there are many non-metallic latches available in the market. You will get latches made of PVC, nylon, Teflon, and other types that are also durable and of high strength.
So, if you want to purchase toggle latches, here are so many options that you can choose from.