GB2450927A

GB2450927A - Striker plate with angled catching surface

Info

Publication number: GB2450927A
Application number: GB0713611A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Douglas Law
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-12
Filing date: 2007-07-12
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Also published as: GB0713611D0

Abstract

A striker plate (10) has a first side for facing a frame (12) and a second side for facing away from the frame (12), i.e. towards an edge (20) of a door (22). The second side having a latch receiving aperture (28) therein, wherein the latch receiving aperture (28) defines a) a cut edge acting as a latch catching surface (32) that extends towards the first side of the striker plate (10) and b) a tongue (30) that defines a second surface spaced from the latch catching surface (32), but which faces generally towards the latch catching surface (32), wherein the second surface is angled relative to the second side of the striker plate (10) at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees. This angle may be 45 degrees. The tongue provides an anti-rattle mechanism by being positioned within the aperture 28 such that the door's latch 26 will bear against it.

Description

1 2450927

STRIKER PLATE

The present invention relates to a striker plate for preventing door rattle.

Doors will rattle in a door liner or door frame if the striker plate in the liner and the latch in the door are not positioned very precisely with respect to each other and in relation to the door stop. Indeed, any slight variation in any of these three elements will result in either the latch not catching or the door rattling. This is a particular problem for DIY fitters since the door, the frame and the door stop will generally already be fitted onto the wall, thereby making it difficult or impossible to use standard gauges on machining tools for assisting with aligning the three elements correctly. It is also a problem for companies manufacturing pre-cut components, such as door frames, i.e. pre-rebated for receiving a striker plate, since door thicknesses, and latch tolerances or designs, can also vary, thus making the final position of the striker plate variable. Yet further, some customers like their door handles, and thus their door latches, to be at different or non standard heights. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a new striker plate design that can compensate for a certain degree of misalignment between those three elements.

According to the present invention there is provided a striker plate having a first side for facing (or for attaching to) a frame and a second side for facing away from the frame (i.e. facing a door edge, in use), the second side having a latch receiving aperture therein, wherein the latch receiving aperture defines a) a latch catching surface that extends towards the first side of the striker plate and b) a second, surface that is spaced from the latch catching surface, but which faces generally towards the latch catching surface, wherein the second surface is angled relative to the second side of the striker plate at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

The latch catching surface is usually a thin inside edge of the aperture within the striker plate, i.e. usually less than 1mm wide. The second surface, however, is generally much wider, i.e. usually at least 5mm wide.

The second surface provides a tapered depth for the aperture, whereby it presents a surface for a non-latching surface of the latch to bear against while the latch is in a latch catching position within the aperture.

Preferably the angle of the second surface relative to the second side of the striker plate is approximately 45 degrees.

Preferably the second surface is formed on a tongue extending part-way across the aperture from an opposite side of the aperture to the latch catching surface.

The tongue may have a bend line and the second surface may be angled relative to the base part of the tongue about that bend line. Preferably the bend line is approximately half way between the base of the tongue and the tip of the tongue, i.e. half way across the width of the aperture.

Preferably the tongue has a total length of at least 50 percent of the width of the aperture.

More preferably the total length is approximately 90 percent of the aperture's width.

Preferably the striker plate also includes a striker. Preferably the striker is also angled relative to the second side of the striker plate, preferably at an angle of approximately 30 degrees.

Preferably every component of the striker plate has a thickness of no more than 2mm, and more preferably no more than 1mm.

Preferably the tip or end of the second surface is displaced into the aperture at least 5mm behind the mouth of the aperture.

Preferably the second surface, and/or the striker, is an integrally formed part of the striker plate.

Preferably the striker plate is formed from a single sheet of material, and preferably a metal sheet such as one made of steel or brass.

Preferably the aperture is die formed, or press-cut and formed, into the striker plate.

In an alternative construction, the striker plate may be a molded component.

The present invention also provides a method of fabricating a striker plate comprising press-cutting a sheet of material to form a plate having a pressed aperture therein, the pressed aperture having a first, cut surface defining a latch catching surface and a second, formed surface spaced from the first, cut surface, wherein the second, formed surface is angled relative to the uppermost plane of the plate at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

The striker plate of the present invention, when fitted to a frame for a door with a sprung latch, uses the spring in the latch to push the latch into the aperture such that it bears against the second surface. Since that surface is at an angle, and preferably a 45 degree angle, that in turn forces the latch, and therefore the door, sideways. That in turn causes the outside face of the latch -the latching surface -to be biased against the latch catching surface of the striker plate. That prevents or reduces door rattle since the latch will tend not to rattle in the striker plate, subject, of course, to the spring force for the latch being sufficiently strong to resist any forces that are likely to cause door rattle, such as draughts.

These and other preferred features of the present invention will now be described purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a door, a door frame, a door latch, a door stop and a striker plate, in plan, illustrating the interaction of the various elements; Figure 2 is an elevation view of a preferred striker plate of the invention; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the striker plate of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a preferred door latch arrangement. The arrangement has many conventional elements. For example: a striker plate 10 is mounted into a rebated face 16 of a door frame 12; the door frame 12 has a door stop 14 and a rebated latch receiving hole 18; the rebated face 16 of the door frame 12 faces an edge 20 of a door 22; that edge 20 of the door 22 is fitted with a latch mechanism 24; that latch mechanism 24 has a spring loaded latch 26 that extends out from the edge 20 of the door 22, unless retracted into the door 22 by the latch mechanism 24, e.g. via a door handle (not shown); and since the door 22 is in a latched closed condition, the latch 26 is extending out from the edge 20 of the door 22 into the latch receiving hole 18 within the door frame 12 via a latch receiving aperture 28 in the striker plate 16.

The latch 26 is also conventional. It has a flat latching surface 34 that extends generally perpendicular to the edge 20 of the door 22. Further it has a curved non-latching surface 36. The curve, although optional, assists the latch 26 to ride up over a striker 38 of the striker plate 10 as the door closes. Some latches, however, have a straight non-latching surface. Yet further, some latches use a roller rather than a solid latch. All these versions of latch, however, can be used in conjunction with the present invention. That is because the novel features reside instead in the striker plate 10.

The striker plate 10 of the present invention has a modified latch receiving aperture 28.

Therefore, instead of being one with a simple rectangular aperture, it has an aperture 28 with a pressed form in it -the tongue 30. In this preferred embodiment the tongue 30 extends at least part way across the width of the aperture 28. The aperture 28, however, has a conventional straight opposing side that forms a latch catching surface 32 for engagement by the latching surface of the latch 26, i.e. for keeping the door 22 closed, as

in prior art striker plates.

The tongue 30, as shown in Figure 1, serves to provide an automatic anti-rattle mechanism for the door latch. It provides that function because the spring in the latch mechanism 24 forces the latch 26 out of the door's edge 20, see arrow 42, such that the non-latching surface (or side) 36 of the latch 26 will engage that tongue 30 at point 40.

That sprung contact forces the latch 26, and thus also the door 22, in the direction of arrow 44, such that the latching surface 34 of the latch 26 bears against the latch catching surface 32 of the striker plate 10. Thus, the spring force in the latch mechanism resists door rattle.

Referring now to Figure 2 and 3, a preferred design of striker plate 10 is illustrated.

The striker plate 10 preferably has dimensions as illustrated, although it may be made with larger or smaller dimensions, and/or with different relative proportions.

In this embodiment, the plate 10 features an elongated main body 46 with rounded ends 48. It should be appreciated, however, that the ends may instead be squared off ends, or even ends provided with other conventional shapes.

In approximately the centre of the main body 46 is the latch receiving aperture 28.

Again, however, the aperture might instead be off-centre i.e. it may be moved up, down, left or right of the centre.

Extending to one side of the main body, and in registration with, or centred relative to, the aperture 28, is a striker 38. As shown in Figure 3, that striker 38 is preferably integral with the main body 46 and is preferably bent about a bend line 50 such that it forms an angle relative to the main body 46 of the plate 10. In this embodiment the angle is 30 degrees. Further, in this embodiment the bend line 50 is spaced from the edge of the main body 46, preferably half way between the base and the end of the striker 38.

The striker 38 is preferably generally rectangular, and shorter than the main body, with two rounded corners (on its open side). However, it could easily instead be longer or shorter, or wider or narrower, than the mouth of the aperture. It is preferred, however, that it is at least as long as, and as wide as, the mouth of the aperture 28.

A hole 60 is preferably provided towards each of the two ends 48 of the striker plate 10.

They allow the striker plate 10 to be screwed onto the (normally rebated) frame 12.

Other fixation methods might be used, however, such as glue or nails.

The latch receiving aperture 28 is lozenge shaped in this embodiment, i.e. with two long sides 52, 54 and two rounded ends 56. It is also shown to be shorter than the striker 38.

One long side 52 and the two rounded ends 56 are formed by press-cutting the sheet material used to form the striker plate, whereas the second long side 54 is defined by two cut parts and also the base of the tongue. The two cut parts lie either side of the base of the tongue 30.

The second long side 54 is on the opposite side of the aperture 28 to the striker 38.

The tongue 30 also has a bend line 58 in it. That bend line 58 is shown to lie approximately half way between the tip of the tongue 30 and the base of the tongue 30.

At the bend line the outer end of the tongue 30 bends relative to the uppermost plane of main body 46 of the striker plate 10 through an angle of about 45 degrees.

Other angles could also be used between 30 and 60 degrees. Similarly, the position of the bend line might be different. For example, it might be positioned closer towards, or further away from, the base of the tongue 30.

In this preferred embodiment, the striker plate is die-formed, or press-cut and shaped, in a machining press from a single piece or roll of sheet material such as one made of steel or brass.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. It should be noted, however, that modifications in detail can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A striker plate having a first side for facing a frame and a second side for facing away from the frame, the second side having a latch receiving aperture therein, wherein the latch receiving aperture defines a) a latch catching surface that extends towards the first side of the striker plate and b) a second, surface that is spaced from the latch catching surface, but which faces generally towards the latch catching surface, wherein the second surface is angled relative to the second side of the striker plate at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

2. The striker plate of claim 1, wherein the angle of the second surface relative to the second side of the striker plate is approximately 45 degrees.

3. The striker plate of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second surface is formed on a tongue extending part-way across the aperture from an opposite side of the aperture to latch catching surface.

4. The striker plate of claim 3, wherein the tongue has a bend line.

5. The striker plate of claim 4, wherein the second surface is angled relative to a base part of the tongue about that bend line.

6. The striker plate of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the bend line is approximately half way between a base of the tongue and a tip of the tongue.

7. The striker plate of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the tongue has a total length of approximately 90 percent of the aperture's width.

8. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a striker.

9. The striker plate of claim 8, wherein the striker extends from a side of the plate nearest to the latch catching surface.

10. The striker plate of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the striker is angled relative to the second side of the striker plate at an angle of approximately 30 degrees.

II. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims, wherein every component of the striker plate has a thickness of no more than 1mm.

12. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tip or end of the second surface is displaced into the aperture at least 5mm behind the mouth of the aperture.

13. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second surface is an integrally formed part of the striker plate.

14. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the striker plate is formed from a single sheet of material.

15. The striker plate of claim 14, wherein, the sheet is a metal sheet such as one made of steel or brass.

16. The striker plate of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture is die formed, or press-cut and formed, into the striker plate.

17. A method of fabricating a striker plate comprising press-cutting a sheet of material to form a plate having a pressed aperture therein, the pressed aperture having a first, cut surface defining a latch catching surface and a second, formed surface spaced from the first, cut surface, wherein the second, formed surface is angled relative to the uppermost plane of the plate at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

18. The method of claim 17 used to form a striker plate of claim 16.

19. A striker plate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of fabricating a striker plate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. The combination of a door latch in a door and an associated striker plate in a door frame, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.