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What is Saint Louis Designs, Inc.?
Saint Louis Designs, Inc. is a hardware manufacturer specializing in hidden latches, pushers, hinges, cup holders, and custom precision mechanisms, primarily for aircraft and marine interiors. The company is based in Irvine, California, and its site emphasizes cabinet latches, touch latches, secondary catches, and concealed hinge systems built for durability and high-load applications. It also states ISO 9001:2015 certification and a focus on quality, reliability, and customer service.
The product line is organized around interior fitting problems rather than general hardware. Examples from the site include touch latches with built-in pushers, high-load touch latch assemblies, magnetic touch latches, mini latches, secondary spring catches, concealed hinges, hinge mounting blocks, and a ledge-mount drink holder. Applications listed on the quote form point to credenzas, seat tracking, seat suites, stowage access, ottomans, arm rests, head rests, privacy panels, partition doors, foot and leg rests, tray tables, and IFE systems.
If you are specifying hardware for an aircraft or marine interior, start by matching the application and load requirement to the latch or hinge family, then request a quote with the exact panel, door, or stowage configuration. The site’s own contact route is the quote form and phone number, and it lists upcoming appearances at Aircraft Interiors Expo and NBAA, which can be useful if you prefer to examine the hardware in person.
Which latch should I choose for a high-load aerospace or marine cabinet door?
For a high-load aerospace or marine cabinet door, start with the TL 1150 SMP High Load Touch Latch or the TL 1170 High-Load Touch Latch Assembly. Both are described on the site as high-load options within the push-push latch range that Saint Louis Designs says is suited to aerospace and marine interiors. If you need a smaller, integrated push-to-open action, the TL 1166-P Touch Latch with Built-in Pusher is the featured product and combines the latch and pusher in one unit, though the page positions it as a touch latch rather than explicitly as a high-load model.
How to decide
- Maximum load and door size: Choose TL 1150 SMP or TL 1170 when the door is large, heavy, or likely to see vibration and repeated cycling. The TL 1170 is an assembly, which can simplify installation where alignment and mounting hardware matter.
- Space and simplicity: Choose TL 1166-P when you want a single integrated latch-and-pusher and the door load is moderate. Fewer parts generally means faster installation and less to service.
- Lighter doors: The TL 860 Medium Load Touch Latch and TL 1000 RMP Durable Mini Latch are positioned for lower loads or tighter spaces, so they are not the first choice for a genuinely high-load door.
- Secondary retention: If the main latch carries the load but you want extra security against rattle or accidental opening, the SC1050, SC1060, or SC1070 secondary catches can supplement the primary latch.
A practical next step is to request a quote and state your door size, weight, panel material, and whether the installation is aerospace or marine. The site's quote form asks for market and application (for example, stowage, partition doors, or tray tables), which helps the company match a latch to your specific use. For a marine cabinet that is opened frequently, prioritize a high-load push-push model with a durable mechanism; for an aerospace interior where weight and part count are tightly controlled, the integrated TL 1166-P may be worth evaluating first.
Can I get a custom mechanism designed for my specific interior application?
Yes. Saint Louis Designs presents itself as a maker of both catalog hardware and custom mechanisms, so a one-off or modified design for a specific interior application is within the scope of what the company advertises. Its page states the company is “recognized for its cabinet latches and custom mechanisms,” and its inquiry form asks for your market, application and product — the kind of information a custom hardware quote would require.
H3 What the site suggests you can specify
The quote form collects the details that typically drive a custom latch or mechanism design:
- Market and application (for example, credenza, seat tracking, suite stowage, ottoman, arm rest, tray table, IFE system)
- The closest existing product from the line, such as touch latches, pushers, concealed hinges, secondary catches, or cup holders
- Contact and company details so an engineer or salesperson can follow up
The existing catalog gives a useful starting point: push-push latches, high-load touch latches, magnetic touch latches, spring-deployed cup trays and adjustable concealed hinges. A custom request usually begins as a variation on one of these — different load, travel, mounting or release force — rather than a blank-sheet design.
H3 How to decide whether custom is worth it
| Situation | Likely path |
|---|---|
| Standard latch fits with minor bracket changes | Catalog part plus mounting block or plate |
| Door weight, panel thickness or travel falls outside catalog ranges | Modified or custom mechanism |
| Aerospace or marine interior with certification and traceability needs | Custom design with documented alloy and quality control |
| Low volume, tight deadline | Catalog part adapted, if performance allows |
H3 A practical next step
Before contacting them, write a one-page brief: the panel or door it holds, load and vibration conditions, available space, latch travel, release force, mounting method, expected quantity and any aerospace or marine standards that apply. Include a photo or sketch of the cavity. That brief lets the company tell you quickly whether a catalog item such as the TL 1166-P touch latch with built-in pusher or a modified version will work, or whether a new mechanism is justified.
For broader context on aircraft interior hardware requirements, the Aircraft Interiors International trade publication and NBAA event listings can help you frame specifications before you request a quote.
What is the TL 1166-P touch latch with built-in pusher used for?
The TL 1166-P is a touch latch with an integrated pusher, made by Saint Louis Designs, Inc. It is one of the company's "high-load" push-push latches—hardware for cabinet doors and panels that open and close with a press instead of a visible handle or knob.
What it does A push-push latch holds a door shut until you push it inward; the latch releases and the door springs open. On this model the pusher is built in, so the same unit both latches the door and provides the opening push. That matters on doors where a separate pusher would be an extra part, an extra mounting position, or an extra thing to align.
Where it fits The company positions this hardware line for aerospace and marine interiors, where concealed, vibration-resistant, load-bearing latches are the norm. Typical candidates include:
- Overhead and side stowage doors
- Credenzas, partitions and privacy panels
- Seat-suite and ottoman stowage
- Tray tables, armrest and IFE enclosures
- Any panel where a visible handle is undesirable and the door needs to stay firmly closed
How to decide Ask three questions before specifying it:
- Is the door heavy or preloaded? This is a high-load latch, so it suits doors with mass or gasket pressure. For a light, small door, a medium- or mini-load latch from the same family is usually the more sensible choice.
- Do you have room for a separate pusher? If not, the built-in pusher is the reason to pick this part.
- Does the panel construction allow a concealed mechanism? The latch has to sit behind the panel face, so door thickness, mounting block depth and strike alignment all need to be checked early.
Next step Send the door weight, panel thickness, opening force you want and the mounting constraints to the manufacturer through the quote form on Saint Louis Designs, Inc. and ask them to confirm the TL 1166-P against a medium-load alternative. If your application is a light interior door rather than a load-bearing one, comparing the TL 860 or TL 1150 SMP in the same catalog will tell you quickly whether the extra capacity is worth the space.
How do I request a quote for latches, hinges, or cup holders?
Use the Get a Quote form on Saint Louis Designs, Inc.. The site lists Get a Quote links in the header, near the contact details, and in the footer, and the form asks for the details needed to route an industrial hardware inquiry. If you prefer to talk through the requirement first, the listed phone number is 800-431-6684.
H3 What the quote form asks for The form collects contact details (name, title, company, email, phone, address) plus four fields that matter most for getting an accurate response:
- Market — the industry or sector you are buying for.
- Application — where the hardware goes, chosen from options such as credenza, seat tracking, seat suite, stowage access, ottoman, arm rest, head rest, privacy panels, partition doors, foot/leg rest, tray tables, and IFE system.
- Product — the specific part, including latches, hinges, cup holders, and related items such as mounting blocks and secondary catches.
- How did you hear about us? — a marketing question, not a technical one.
H3 Prepare these details before you submit The form's Application and Product menus cover common aircraft interior positions and catalog parts, but custom mechanisms are also part of this company's work. If your project is not a standard catalog fit, put the specifics in your message rather than relying on the dropdowns alone:
- Quantity, including prototype versus production volumes.
- Panel thickness, door size and swing direction for hinges.
- Load or retention requirement for latches.
- Cup holder mounting surface and intended cup or container size.
- Any certification, documentation or traceability needs.
- Target dates and whether you are at concept, mock-up or retrofit stage.
H3 A practical example A seat-suite supplier needs touch latches for stowage doors on a mock-up. They select Seat Suite as the application, choose the closest touch latch from the product list, and add a note giving door size, panel thickness, expected cycle count and the mock-up deadline. That combination lets the manufacturer confirm the right part or propose a custom variant instead of exchanging several clarifying emails.
H3 How to choose your route Use the form when the requirement is documented and you want a written quotation or a paper trail. Call when you need to confirm whether a catalog part suits an unusual mounting or load case before you commit it to a drawing. For a first enquiry, the form is usually the better starting point because it captures the application and product fields in one pass.
A useful next step: open the product list on the site, note the part numbers or families that look closest to your need, and have those ready before you fill in the form.
Where can I see Saint Louis Designs products in person at upcoming trade shows?
Saint Louis Designs publishes two upcoming appearances where you can handle its latches, hinges, and cup holders in person:
- Aircraft Interiors Expo — April 14, 2026
- NBAA — October 20, 2026
The company's own events page is the place to confirm booth numbers, hall locations, and any schedule changes before you travel: Saint Louis Designs, Inc.
Which show fits your visit
| If you are… | Go to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Specifying cabin interiors, seating, stowage, or IFE surrounds | Aircraft Interiors Expo | The audience and exhibitor mix center on cabin fit-out, so you can compare latches and hinges against competing suppliers in one walk |
| Buying or outfitting business aircraft | NBAA | Attendance skews toward operators, OEMs, and completion centers, which suits hardware decisions made alongside an airframe or refurbishment program |
Making the trip worthwhile
Trade-show hardware is small, so a booth visit is mostly about feel and fit, not appearance. Bring a short list: the latch or hinge you are considering, your panel thickness and material, your load and cycle expectations, and whether you need a push-push action, a magnetic catch, or a secondary latch. Ask to work the mechanism by hand and to see how it mounts.
Two practical steps before either date. First, request a quote or sample in advance through the site's contact form — it lets you name your market and application (credenza, seat suite, stowage, tray table, and so on), so the booth staff can prepare the right parts. Second, if you cannot attend, ask whether a distributor or sales representative near you keeps demonstration units; that is often faster than waiting for the next show.
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