GB626416A - Latch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

626,416. Latches. PHILCO CORPORATION. June 26, 1947, No. 16895. Convention date, July 3, 1946. [Class 44] A latch, particularly for refrigerator doors, of the toggle-operated type, comprises a latch pivotally mounted on a support ; toggle mechanism comprising two pivotally connected links, the free end of one being adapted to react against a shaft carrying an operating handle, and the free end of the other link being pivoted to the latch at a position removed from the pivot mounting the latch on its support ; means on the handle shaft for moving the toggle to retracted position ; and spring means for moving the toggle into its extended position to move the latch into engagement with a keeper with increasing force as the latch moves towards fully engaged position. As shown, the door jamb is provided with an adjustably mounted keeper 14 having an external striking face 15. The door 16 carries a resilient sealing gasket 20. The mechanism comprises a swinging latch 26 extending through an opening in the inner panel 17 of the door and journalled upon the ends of two spaced support members 29 which are pivotally mounted on a vertical shaft 30 which carries the handle 65 and is journalled in lugs 31 on a plate 32. The supports 29 for the latch have lateral extensions 36 the ends of which are turned outwardly in opposite directions to form arcuate flanges 37 each of which has a slot through which pass screws entering tapped holes in a member forming part of the door framing ; by this means the position of the pivot of the latch may be adjusted. The keeper 14 is also adjustable by screws 41. The latch 26 is formed with a slot 45 in its peripheral edge, and is linked to the shaft 30 by toggle mechanism comprising a link 51 pivoted on shaft 30 and a pair of parallel links 52 connecting the end of link 51 and the latch. The links 52 are pivoted to the latch in recesses, the walls of which constitute abutments for the links in the latched and unlatched positions. The toggle is urged to latching. position, Fig. 1, by a strong spring 56 located round shaft 30 on each side of lugs 31, the ends 60 anchored in holes in flanges 7 and a central bowed part bearing on link 51 near its pivot with links 52. The arrangement is such that the spring acts with increasing force as the latch approaches the fully latched position. When the shaft is turned by handle 65 to unlatch, a member 62 fixed to the shaft engages link 51 and rotates it towards the position of Fig. 3, and the pull on links 52 causes the latch to be rotated. Links 52 are forced past the dead centre position between pivot 29a of the latch and pivot 54 connecting links 51, 52 by the action of a light spring 69, and the mechanism is thus held in the position of Fig. 3 ready to be snapped shut when the door is closed and face 47 of the latch makes contact with face 15 of the keeper. Specifications 610,015 and 611,711 are referred to.