US1574025A

US1574025A - Latch

Info

Publication number: US1574025A
Application number: US673532A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis M Vandervoort
Original assignee: POSITIVE LOCK Co
Current assignee: POSITIVE LOCK Co
Priority date: 1923-11-08
Filing date: 1923-11-08
Publication date: 1926-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1943-02-23

Description

Feb 23 1926.

F. M. VANDERVOQRT LATCH Filed Nov. 8, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheeil 1 m Mw v Ma 0 6 w a w m w M a Feb.23,1926, v 4 1,574,025 F. M. VANDERVOORT LATCH Filed Nov. 8, 19 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

LEN-WED STA'lEfi PATENT QFFlQE.

FRANCIS M. VANDERVOORT, 0:1 PUEBLO, CDLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE POSITIVE LOCK COMPANY, OF PUEBLO, CGLORADO, A CGBPORATIGN OF COLOR/ADC.

LATCH.

Application filed November 8, 1923. Serial No. 673,582.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. VANDER- wear, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, county of Pueblo, State 01 Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

This invention relates to latches, particularly to latches adapted for use in connection with the doors or windows of a vehicle such as an automobile. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular use and that the term latch is used broadly to include both latch and lock constructions.

One or the principal objects of this invention is to improve and simplify the construction of latches of the type shown in the application of Crompton & Crooks Serial lo. 592,497, filed October 5, 1922, especially from the standpoint of reducing the cost of manufacture.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show one specific embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the specific embodiment of the invention shown and described is merely one form typical of the broad invention chosen to explain the principles of the broad invention and is to be taken as illustrative and not restrictive.

- In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a latch and cooperating keeper embodying this invention shown in the position which the parts occupy when mounted on the door and door jamb, espoctively, of an automobile, parts of said door and door jamb being shown in dotted lines; 7

Fig. 2 is an end view of the latch and keeper looking from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view oil? the latch and keeper looking from the bottom of Fig. 1;.

Fig. 4c is an end view of the latch only with part of the end plate broken away showing the bolt, illustrated in section, in latched position within the latch;

Fig. 5 is an end View similar to Fig. 4

showing the bolt, shown in section, justentering between the latch members;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are end, side, and plan views, respectively, of the main or base plate of the latch casing;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are end, plan and side views, respectively, of the housing plate of the latch casing;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are end, side and plan views, respectively, of one of the latching members Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are plan, side and end views, respectively, of the abutment member;

Figs. 18 and 19 are plan and side views, respectively, of the sliding operating member;

Figs. 20 and 21 are plan and side views, respectively, of one of the pivoted operating members, and 1 Fig. 22 is a side view of the bolt.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises latching means movable to engage and hold a bolt or catch in latched position, abutment means, supported by said latching means adapted to engage and press the bolt or catch against said latching means, and means for operating the. latching means to release the bolt or catch.

Stated more specifically, the invention comprises opposed pivoted latching members separable one from the other by the insertion ot a bolt or catch therebetween, an abutment member supported by said latching members adapted to engage and press the belt or catch against said latching members, means for operating the latching inem bers to release the bolt or catch, and means acting through such operating means normally retaining said latching members in latched position.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates generally the latch casing or mounting to suppoi the latch elements. In the example illustrated, the mounting or casing coinpriscs a base or back plate ll having an integral substantially right-angular extension iorniing an end portion 12, and a housing plate 13 also having an integral substantially rightangular extension forming an end portion 14 Plates 11 and 13, with their bent ends or extensions, are both substantially L-shapcd and these plates are secured together in spaied relation to form between them a substantially L-shaped space Although any suitable means of securing plates 11 and 13 together may be used, the means shown is preferred. Plate 11 is provided with two hollow extruded portions 15 forming countersunk apertures, each terminating in a hollow boss 16, to be explained more in detail later. Base plate 11 18 also provided with. two apertures 17. Housing plate 13 is provided with four apertures 18, two oi said apertures adapted to register with hollow extruded portions 15 and the other two apertures registering with apertures 17, respectively. Ri ets 15.) passing through extruded portions 15 and holes 18, and shoulderv rivets 20 and 20, each passing through. holes 17 and 18, rigidly hold plates 11 and 13 in spaced relation. Ordinarily, the latch casing 10 is mounted on a door, indicated. in dotted lines at D, with the end portion 12 substantially tiush with one edge of the door, the casing being secured to the door by means of screws or similar fastening means passing through apertures 21 provided for this purpose in plate 11. The latch used with a cooperating bolt or strike, indicated generally by B, mounted on the door jaml': J so that when the door. is swung shut, the projecting bolt is engaged and held in latched position by means within the latch casing or mounting 10.

The construction of the bolt or catch B may vary within the broad scope. of the invention, but the form illustrated is desirable because it can be made of one piece of stamped metal. Bolt or strike B comprises a bent plate 22 provided with holes to re ceive s-rews or other fastening means for securing the plate to the door jamb and the bolt proper 23 punched or pressed out from plate 22. The bolt proper23 is SllOWD'SL'tbstantially triangular in cross-section, but

this shape may vary. In order to permit bolt 13 to enter casing 10, adjoining portions of base or back plate 11 and end 12 are cut away to form the slot or opening 24.

Within casing 10 is provided means for securely latching bolt B and at thesame time firmly clamping and holding the same against rattling irrespective of wear or looseness of the latch parts. Pivotally mounted between spated ends 12 and 14- of plates 11 and 13 respectively are two opposed hook-

shaped latch members

25 and 26. These latch members, preferably made of: stamped sheet metal, are generally of channel shape, each having; a web 2? and depending sides or flanges 2S and 29. The flanges 28 and 29 are each provided with an oppositely extending extruded portion or boss 30, these extruded portions or bosses 30 extending into holes 31 provided in end portions 12. and 14 of plates 11 and 13 respectively to thereby pivotally support the hook members. It is to be noted that the flanges or. sides 28 and 29 of the hook members and 26 do not extendas far as the hook ends 251 and 261 respectively, of said hook mem- "bers, only the web portions forming the hook ends. Each hook member is provided intermediate the hook and pivoted ends with an aperture 32 to be explained later. The

hook members

25 and 26 are mounted with the hook ends and-261, respectively, te in g each other, the hook ends being disposes adjacent each other and extending into the slot or recess 24: in the "front end. of the casing. The hook members .5 and 26 are pressed or urged toward each other by suitable means to be described hereafter. Mounted between the

hook members

25 and 26 and. supported thereby is an abutment member 33. As best shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17, the abutment member in the present instance is made of sheet metal, the ends 3% of the abutment being reduced to form shoul dcrs Intermediate ends 34, the abutment is bent to provide a hump or substantially V-shaped bent portion 38, the vertex of the bend or hump being located approxin'iately at the center of the abutment bar The abutment is further provided with a central projection or enlargement 37, providing lateral extensions on each side of the abutment. In mounting the abutment bar 33, the reduced ends 3%. extend into apertures 32 provided in the webs of the hook members. the central enlargement or projection 37 of the abutment engaging between the pivoted ends of the hook members to prevent longitudinal shifting of the abutment; bar. The hook members tend to come together and are prevented from actually con'iing together by shoulders on abutment bar engaging the webs of the hook men'ibers. lVhen the door is swung shut, one corner of the bolt enters between the hook me.mbers,'torcing them apart. As the hook. members swing away from each other, they move the abutment away from the entering. bolt until. the bolt has passed the hook ends. The hook enos then close behind the bolt to hold it in latched position and as the hook members swing toward each other, they move or slide the abutment toward the bolt. The abutment engages and presses the bolt against the hook encs whereby the bolt is held against rattling. It will be observed that the pivoted ends of the hook members form a guideway to slidingly support the central enlargement 37 o.t the abutment therebetween. it is to be noted that the concavity or bend 36 of the abutment member 33 corresponds substantially in contour to the shape of one corner of the bolt and that when the bolt is held-in latched position, one corner of the bolt engages in the bend or concavity 36 of the abutment member whereby the bolt is firmly clamped against substantially all lateral movement.

Inn

Me: is have been provided for operating the latch members to release the bolt or catch. Pivotally mounted on the hollow bosses 16 oi plate 11 are two

opposed members

38 and 39 res ectively. 1n the present instance, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21,

members

38 and 39 are bell crank levers and are mounted adjacent hook members 25 and to swing transversely thereof. Arm 38 of lever 38 is provided with a notch or recess 10 engaging hook member 25 near the hook end 251 and arm 39 ot lever 39 is provided with a notch or recess 11 engaging hook member 526 near the hook end 261. Arms 38" and 39 of

levers

38 and 39, respectively, extend. toward each other, the ends of the arms being spared from each other to receive therebetween an operating slide 4-2. Slide 12 is provided adjacent one end with integral. laterally-extending lugs or tongues a3 and 44., log 43 adapted to engage in a notch or recess in arm 38" ot lever 38 and lug 44- adapted to engage in a cooperating notch or recess 39 in arm 39 of lever 39. Intermediate its ends, slide 42 is provided with an olfset bend 15 so that one end of the slide engages plate 11 and the other end 01 the slide engages housing plate 13. Housing plate 13 is formed to provide a slide way 46 or guide tor the slide as. In the present instance, this slideway or guide is formed by cutting or punching two substantially-parallel slits in housing member 13 and pushing out or expanding the metal between the slits to form an integral slide-way or guide to receive and support one end of the operating slide .2. The offset bend of the operating slide 42 forms an abutment to be engaged by one end of an operating or retracting lever d7 pivoted at 20 to the latch casing. This lever is provided with an offset bend 4L8 intermediate its ends. Lever 47 projects from one side of the casing, a curved slot 49 cut in plate 11 permitting swinging move ment of the lever. The end of the lever which projects from the casing is adapted-to lie parallel to the inner side of the door when the latch is mounted on the door and may extend to or slightly above the top edge of the door in order that it may be conveniently operated by the end of the user. In order to prevent rattling of the operating lever *7, a leaf spring 50 is provided. One end of spring 50 engages rivet 20 and the other end engages operating lever 47, forcing the lever against one end of the curved slot -19 in plate 11,'the spring being held under tension by engagement with lug 51 bent up or struck out from plate 11.

Means are provided for urging the hook members toward one another and in this instance this means acts through the operat- 'ng mechanism. A circular, substantially horseshoe shaped contractile spring 52 is provided in the present instance, one end of said spring engaging lug 51 and the other end of the spring engaging the forward end of slide 42. This tends to force the operating slide l2 to the rear or to the right of the casing, as viewed in Fig. 1, and this in turn operates through the opposed levers 38 and 39 to urge the

hook members

25 and 26 toward each other.

Briefly stated, the operation is as follows: iVhen the door is swung shut, the bolt enters the casing, iorcing hook members 25 and apart,

hook members

25 and 26 mov ing abutment member 33 away from the entering bolt. A t'ter the bolt has passed book ends 251 and 261, the hook members come toward each other, hook ends 251 and 261 overhanging the bolt to hold it in latched position. As the hook members and 26 move toward each other, they move abutment member toward the bolt so that when the bolt is in latched position between the hook members, abutment member 33 presses the bolt against the hook members, the bent portion oi: the abutment embracing the bolt to clampthe same against substantially all lateral movement.

To open the door, handle member or lever 17 is operaten or swung on its pivot, lever 47 engaging and operating slide .2. Slide 4-2 operates or swings opposed

levers

38 and 39, these levers in turn operating the hook members to swing them away from each other, and as the hook members swing away from each other, they cause abutment member 33 to move away from the bolt. The bolt is thus released and the door is free to swing.

It will be observed that a latch of simple, compact construction has been provided. One of the importantteatures of the invention resides in the fact that practically every part can be made of stamped sheet metal, thus greatly reducing the cost of manutacture. It is to be understood that various changes in construction and arrangement of the parts can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other and adapted to receive a bolt therebetween, opposed members pivoted to swing transversely of said latch members for operating said latch members. and slidable means engaging and operating said opposed members.

2. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other and adapted to receive a bolt, therebetween, means for operating said latch members, and means acting through such operating means urging said latch members toward one another.

3. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other and adapted to reteive a bolt 'therebetween, opposed members pivoted to swing transversely of said latch members for operating said latch members, and means movable between said opposed members for operatingthe same.

i. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other and adapted to receive a bolt tlierebetween, opposed pivoted .iuembers for operating said latch members, and slidable means engaging and op eratin said opposed pivoted members.

:3. match means comprising opposed piv (ted hook i'uembers separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, opposed JHGiIll'XZIS pivoted to swing trans .ly of said hook members for operating said hook members, and slidable means engaging and. operating said opposed operatin g members.

(3. Latch means comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, opposed operating members engaging said hook members and pivoted to swing transvcrsely thereof, slidable means engaging said o ieratin members, and means for operating said slidable means.

T. Latch means con'iprising opposed pi'v-- oted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt t-l'ierebetween, means for operating said hook members, and means acting through said operating means urging said hook members one toward the other.

8. Latch means con'iprising opposed piv-- oted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, a slidable operating member, means connecting said operating member and said opposed hook members, and spring means acting through said slidable operating member tending to torcesaid hook members one toward the other.

9. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other and adapted to receive a bolt therebetween, opposed members ')ositi.*el.y connected to said latch members to positively move said latch members to latching and unlatching position, and means for operating said opposed members. 10; Latch means comprising latch members separable one tt'roi'n the other and adapted'to receive a bolt therebetweeu operating means connected to said latch members to move the same to unlatched position, and means acting through said operating means normally retaining said latch members in latched position.

11. In a latch, a. mounting or casing comprising abase plate having an angular end. portion, and a housing plate having an angular end portion, said plates secured together in spaced relation with the end portions substantially parallel, said end portions provided with opposed apertures, latching members provided with extruded vided with opposed apertures, hook-shaped latching members each made of one piece of stamped metal and provided with eXtrnded portions, the extruded portions of said latching members engaging in said apertures whereby said latching members are pivotally supported between said end portions, and means supported between said plates for operating said latching members.

13. Latch means comprising a mounting or casing, latch members separable one from the other and adapted to receive a bolt there between, and means including a sliding member for operating said latch men'ibers, said mounting or casing provided with a guideway for supporting said sliding member.

1st. Latch means comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion ott bolt therebetween, said opposed men'ibers' each provided with an aperture, and abutment means en aging in said aper tures engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said abutment means pressing the bolt against said opposed members. i

15. Latch means con'iprising opposed pivoted members resiliently pressed one toward the other and separable one-from the other by theinsertion or a bolt therebet'ween, said opposed members each provided with an aperture, and an abutment provided with reduced end portions, said end portions en gaging in said apertures whereby said abutment is supported between said pivoted members, said abutment provided with shoulders normally abutting said pivoted members to limit movement of one opposed member toward the other.

16. Latch means con'iprisin-g opposed pivoted members separable one iii-om the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetweeu, said opposed members each provided with an aperture, and an abutment engaging in said apertures whereby theabutment is support ed between said pivoted members, said abutment provided with a projection extending between the pivoted ends or said opposed members' to prevent disengagement o't saidabutment from said apertures.

17. Latch means comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook members each provided with an aperture, spring? means urging said iii fit

members toward one another, and an abutment engaging in said apertures said abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said abutment pressing the bolt against said hook members.

18. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means movable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, abutment means movable to engage and press said bolt against said latching means, and means including a slidable member for operating said latching means to release the bolt.

19. Latch means comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, abutment means supported by said opposed members engageable by the bolt entering between said opposed members, said abutment means pressing the bolt against said opposed members, and means for operating said opposed members to release the bolt.

2-0. A latch comprising latching means movable to engage and hold a bolt in latched position, abutment means supported by said latching means adapted to engage and press the bolts against said latching means, and means for operating the latching means to release the bolt.

21. A latch comprising latching means movable to engage and hold a bolt in latched position, abutment means supported by said latching means adapted to engage and press the bolt against said latching means, means for operating the latching means to release the bolt, and means acting through such operating means normally retaining said latching means in latched position.

22. A latch comprising opposed pivoted latching members movable to engage and hold a bolt in latched position, an abutment member supported by said latching members and adapted to engage and press the bolt against said latching members, and means for operating the latching members to release the bolt.

23. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members movable to engage and hold a bolt in latched position, an abutment member supported by said hook members adapted to engage and press the bolt against said hook members, and means for operatin said hook members to release the bolt.

A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook memberseach provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in said apertures adapted to engage and press said bolt against said hook members, and means for operating said hook members to release the bolt.

25. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook members each provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in said apertures adapted to engage and press said bolt against said hook members, means for operating said hook members to release the bolt, and means acting through such operat ing means normally retaining said hook members in latched position.

26. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook members each provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in said apertures adapted to engage and press said bolt against said hook members, opposed pivoted members engaging said hook members for operating said hook members to re lease the bolt, a slidable member engaging and operating such pivoted operating members, and handle means for operating said slidable member.

27. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook members each provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in said apertures adapted to engage and ,press said bolt against said hook members, opposed pivoted members engaging said hook mem- .bers for operating said hook members to release the bolt, a slidable member engaging and operating said slidable member, and spring means acting through said slidable member and such pivoted operating members to normally retain the hook members in latched position.

28. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, an abutment member supported by said hook members adapted to engage and press the bolt against said hook members, opposed pivoted levers for operating said hook members, a slide mounted between said levers for operating the latter, said slide provided with an offset bend intermediate its ends and laterally projecting lugs adjacent one end, each of said lovers provided with two notches, one of said hook members engaging in one of said notches of one of said levers and one of said lugs on said slide engaging in the other notch ot the same lever, spring means engaging and holding said slide in a certain position, and a pivoted hand lever engaging the offset bend ot' said slide to opcrate said slide against the tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

FRANCIS M. VANDERVOOR'IT,