On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction

I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it

On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> > Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it

What do you mean? How?

Animal <tabbypurr@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
>
> What do you mean? How?
>

I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
wrench it open.

On 13/10/2023 15:53, Animal wrote:
> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
>
> What do you mean? How?

Try shocking it open. Place a bit of scrap wood against the door/hatch
where the latch is fitted and give the wood a sharp blow with a hammer.

Drill a small hole big enough for a nail to go through and perhaps using
the nail to push on the mechanism may free the latch.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> >> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> >>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> >>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> >>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> >> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
> >
> > What do you mean? How?
> >
> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
> wrench it open.

I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.

On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
>> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
>>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
>>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
>>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
>>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
>>>
>>> What do you mean? How?
>>>
>> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
>> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
>> wrench it open.
>
> I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
>

At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?

As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.

Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.

If you have play, then you could get it open.

Paul

On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
> > On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
> >> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> >>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> >>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> >>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> >>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> >>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
> >>>
> >>> What do you mean? How?
> >>>
> >> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
> >> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
> >> wrench it open.
> >
> > I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
> >
> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?

plenty.

> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
>
> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
>
> If you have play, then you could get it open.
>
> Paul

how?

On 10/14/2023 3:23 PM, Animal wrote:
> On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
>> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
>>>> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
>>>>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
>>>>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
>>>>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
>>>>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>>>>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you mean? How?
>>>>>
>>>> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
>>>> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
>>>> wrench it open.
>>>
>>> I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
>>>
>> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?
>
> plenty.
>
>> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
>>
>> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
>> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
>>
>> If you have play, then you could get it open.
>>
>> Paul
>
> how?
>

Push up. (It should push up freely, and you should "feel" the mechanism as you do.)

Release.

Loft door falls downwards at you. Watch out!

It's supposed to work like a push and release cupboard door.
Which would be "poke in" with a small velocity, release
and the door should pop back so you can grab the edge.

That's what the mechanism looks like to me. One of those.

Paul

On Sunday, 15 October 2023 at 01:58:52 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> On 10/14/2023 3:23 PM, Animal wrote:
> > On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> >> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
> >>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
> >>>> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> >>>>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> >>>>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> >>>>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> >>>>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> >>>>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
> >>>>>
> >>>>> What do you mean? How?
> >>>>>
> >>>> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
> >>>> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
> >>>> wrench it open.
> >>>
> >>> I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
> >>>
> >> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?
> >
> > plenty.
> >
> >> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
> >>
> >> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
> >> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
> >>
> >> If you have play, then you could get it open.
> >>
> >> Paul
> >
> > how?
> >
> Push up. (It should push up freely, and you should "feel" the mechanism as you do.)
>
> Release.
>
> Loft door falls downwards at you. Watch out!
>
> It's supposed to work like a push and release cupboard door.
> Which would be "poke in" with a small velocity, release
> and the door should pop back so you can grab the edge.
>
> That's what the mechanism looks like to me. One of those.
>
> Paul

Obviously the OP was asked because it isn't doing that.

On 15/10/2023 16:57, Animal wrote:
> On Sunday, 15 October 2023 at 01:58:52 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
>> On 10/14/2023 3:23 PM, Animal wrote:
>>> On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
>>>> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
>>>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
>>>>>> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
>>>>>>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
>>>>>>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
>>>>>>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>>>>>>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What do you mean? How?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
>>>>>> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
>>>>>> wrench it open.
>>>>>
>>>>> I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
>>>>>
>>>> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?
>>>
>>> plenty.
>>>
>>>> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
>>>>
>>>> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
>>>> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
>>>>
>>>> If you have play, then you could get it open.
>>>>
>>>> Paul
>>>
>>> how?
>>>
>> Push up. (It should push up freely, and you should "feel" the mechanism as you do.)
>>
>> Release.
>>
>> Loft door falls downwards at you. Watch out!
>>
>> It's supposed to work like a push and release cupboard door.
>> Which would be "poke in" with a small velocity, release
>> and the door should pop back so you can grab the edge.
>>
>> That's what the mechanism looks like to me. One of those.
>>
>> Paul
>
> Obviously the OP was asked because it isn't doing that.

The OP has been asked a number of questions, some of which remain
unanswered.

On Sunday, 15 October 2023 at 16:57:50 UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> On Sunday, 15 October 2023 at 01:58:52 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> > On 10/14/2023 3:23 PM, Animal wrote:
> > > On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> > >> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
> > >>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
> > >>>> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> > >>>>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> > >>>>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> > >>>>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> > >>>>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> > >>>>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> What do you mean? How?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
> > >>>> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
> > >>>> wrench it open.
> > >>>
> > >>> I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
> > >>>
> > >> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?
> > >
> > > plenty.
> > >
> > >> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
> > >>
> > >> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
> > >> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
> > >>
> > >> If you have play, then you could get it open.
> > >>
> > >> Paul
> > >
> > > how?
> > >
> > Push up. (It should push up freely, and you should "feel" the mechanism as you do.)
> >
> > Release.
> >
> > Loft door falls downwards at you. Watch out!
> >
> > It's supposed to work like a push and release cupboard door.
> > Which would be "poke in" with a small velocity, release
> > and the door should pop back so you can grab the edge.
> >
> > That's what the mechanism looks like to me. One of those.
> >
> > Paul
> Obviously the OP was asked because it isn't doing that.

Update time. Levering & tool-poking got nowhere. Luckily the hatch had external hinges making it easy to remove. The tongue was bent a bit away from the frame & it then worked fine.