US1619831A - Fastener for refrigerator doors - Google Patents

Description

I 1,619,831 Marh 8, 1927. A RUBIN FASTENER FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS Filed Deo. 5,@ 1925 Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

'narran sra'rss senr tries;

.ADLPH RUBIN, OF ST. L'IS, MSSOUR, ASSIGNOB, BY MEENE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

ARCADE MANUFACTURER@ CDMANY,

F ILLINOIS.

0F FREEPGRT, ILLINOES, A CORPORATION FASTENER FR BEFvRG-ERATOR DOORS.

Application filed Beoember 5,1925. Serial No. 73,391.

This invention relates to refrigerator door fasteners of the general type described in my prior U. S. Patent No. 1,519,267, dated December' 16, 1924.-. which comprise a latch arranged so that it Will clear the keeper When the refrigerator door is moving into it-s closed position, and thereafter Will move automatically into interlocking engagement with the keeper.

The main object of my present invention to provide a door fastener of the general type mentioned that is inexpensive to manufacture, and which is particularly adapted for use on small refrigerators such as are used in homes or dwellings.

Another object is to provide la door fastener of the general type mentioned, which is of such design that many of the parts of same can be formedfrom sheet metal stampings, Cther objects and desirable features of my invention Will be'hereinafter pointed out.

Figure l of the drawings is afront eleva.- tional view of a refrigerator door fastener constructed in accordance with my present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of said fastener. showing the latch in its depressed Liosition in interlocking engagement with the keeper which is shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the casing of the fastener in section and the latch in its elevated position or inoperative position.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the fastener, the trigger and the spring that is used for actuating said parts, the casing of the fastener being omitted, so as to'more clearly illustrate the way said parts are arranged.

Figure 5i is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 5`5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, the casing of the fastener being shown in section.

Figure 6 is a det-ail sectional View, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the trigger in its inoperative position.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the part shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, illustrating how the Wedge-shaped end of the actuating spring shifts the trigger laterally into its operative position.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of my invention. A designates the casing of the fastener which is adapted to be mounted on a refrigerator door B designates the latch which preferably `consists of an oscillating` member or pivotallymounted member arranged inside of the casing in such a Way that a portion 1 at its free end projects laterally through a side opening in the casing. designates the keeper Which is adapted to be mounted on a stationary part of the refrigerator adjacent the side edge of the door a', so that it will eo-operate with the portion 1 of the latch B to retain the refrigerator door in its closed position. D designates the handle of the fastener pivotally connected by a pintle pin 2 to forwardly-projecting ears 3 on the casing` and provided with an angularly-disposed arm i arranged in a hole 5 in the latch B, as shown in Figure t,` thereby permitting the latch to be raised or movedupvvardly into its operative position by swinging the handle D forwardly. E designates as an entirety the trigger that is used to retain the latch in its elevated or inoperated position, and F designates a spring Which normally exerts pressure on the latch B in a direction tending to move it downwardly and which is combined vvithY the triggerE in such a manner that it moves said trigger into operative relationship With the latch B so as to hold said latch in its inoperative positon Whenever the handle D is actuated to raise the latch. In l order that the trigger E will be automatically disengaged from the latch, after the portion l on the latch has cleared the keeper C, when the*refrigerator door is moving into its closed position, thev trigger E is provided with a tripping device G Whchis so arranged that it strikes against an abutment 7A on the keeper C just before the refrigerator door reaches its closed position, the further movement of the door causing the abutment 7 to exert pressure on the tripping device 6 in a direction to disengage the trigger E from the latch and thus permit the portion 1 on the latch to move down- Wardly into interlocking engagement With the keeper C through the influence of the spring I* In my present door fastener the trigger E is formed by a horizontally-disposed lever arranged under the latch B, as shown in Figure 4, and provided adjacent its free end with an upwardly-projecting arm 8 disposed so that it will lie in a vertical plane at one side of the latch B when said latch is in its depressed position and when said trigger is in its inoperative position, said arms lying in the same vertical plane as the latch when said latch is in its raised or operative position and when said trigger is in its operative position. The means that is used to swing the trigger E laterally so as to move the arm V8 thereon into and .out of operative relation withthe latch B consists of a wedge or tapered member 9 formed preferably. by one end portion of the Vs ring lt and arranged between the trigger lt and an abutment formed by an inclined surface 10 that is stationary with reference to said trigger. The spring F is substantially lC-shaped in general outline and is arranged with its upper end portion in engagement with the top side of the latch B and its lower end portion, which carries `the wedge 9, 1n engagement with the trigger E and the stationary inclined abutment l() that is arranged `at one side of said trigger. lV hen the refrigerator door is in its closed position the spring F holds the latch B depressed. At this time the upwardlyprojecting Varm 8 on the trigger E lies at `one side of the latch between said latch and the front wall of the casing of the lock, and the 4wedge 9 on the lower end of the spring F engages the trigger E and the stationary inclined surface 10, `as shown in Figure 6. lVhen the handle D is actuated Vto raise thelatch, the upward movement of the latch increases the tension of the spring F, or moves said spring in such a way that the wedge 9 thereonvmoves upwardly between the stationary inclined surface l0 and the trigger E, thus causing said trigger to swing-laterally in a direction to move the upwardly-projecting arm e thereon into operative position beneath Ytbelatch B. ,Soelong as the trigger remains in thisY position, the latch B remains in its elevated posit-ion. Consequently., when the refrigerator door moves towards its closed position, the portion l on the end of thelatch will clear the keeper C, andjust before the refrigerator door reaches itsfully closed position, the tripping device 6 on the trigger strikes against the stop 7, with the .result that the arm 8 on the trigger is automatically disengaged from thelatch1 which latch Vthereafter moves downwardly into engagement with the keeper under the influence of the spring F. The particular shape or form of the wedge 9 is immaterial, sol long as it be pointed or tapered and arranged to move between a portion of the trigger E and a stationary member or abutment which is disposed in such relation with the trigger that the movement of said tapered or 4pointed element between said parts will cause the trigger to swing laterally in a direction to cause the arm 8 thereon to hold the latch B in its inoperative position. I prefer, however, to make the trigger operating member 9 in the form of a flat wedge that constitutes the lower terminal Vportion of the spring F and provide the trigger E with a notch 11, as shown in Figure, that extends inwardly from one of the side edges of said trigger, so as to receive the wedge 9, thereby permitting said vparts to; be compactly arranged, and hence,

making it well adapted for use on small f' refrigerators, such as are used in homes. rlhe part l0 previously referred to as a stationary inclined surface is disposed op- .positely to the notch l1 in the side edge of the trigger E, and while'I prefer to construct said part l0 in thevform of an inclined surface, this is not absolutely essential, although an inclined surface is desirable, in that it provides a bearing surface of relativelyvgreat area for one of the inclined faces of the Wedge 9. The essential thing is that the pointed or tapered member 9 be i-nterposed between a stationary part ,l0 and the trigger E in such a Way that when said tapered member 9 moves upwardly into the position shown in Figure 8, 'it will cause the trigger E to swing laterally.

ln the form of my invention herein illus trated the latch B consists of a sheet metal stamping of substantially channel shape in cross section whose end portion l is swaged -orrpressedin such a way as to form a substantially tubular member that co-operates with the keeper C, said latch being oscillatingly mounted on av pivot pin l2 on the inside of thecasing A that is connected to thel front wall of said casing. ln order that the latch will be held spaced away from the front wall ofthe casing A, thus providing a space for the upwardly-projecting arm 8 on tbe-trigger E, thepivot pin l).A is provided with a shoulder or enlarged portion l2, as shownin Figure 5. rl"he particular manner in which the trigger E is mounted is also immaterial, so fares my broad idea is con cer-ned. Vl prefer, however, to arrange a supporting member Gr inside ofthe casing A of thefastener and connect one end of the trigger'Fi to an angularly-disposed flange 13 on saldsupporting member by means of a pintle pin lll, the stationary part l() previously referred to against which the wedge 9 bears being integrally connected to said flange 13,

as shown in Figure Ll. The supporting Vmember G is sustained at one end'by the tio ati

lli)

lit)

provided with an integral latch guide that is positioned in an opening in the side wall of the casing A. In most instances said opening will consist of a notch in the side wall of the casing, and movement of the latch guide 15 relatively to said side Wall will be prevented by lugs l5*L on said latch guide that are seated in depressions in the top and bottom edges of said notch. The tripping portion 6 of the trigger lll projects foi '\vardly through the latch guide 15 of the sui/)porting member G, and if desired, said supporting member can be provided with one or more horizontally-disposed portions 16, as shown in Figure 4, that serve as a guide or bearing surface for the trigger E to slide upon when said trigger is shifted laterally into and out of operative position. ln assemliiling the parts of the fastener the trigger E is first pivotally connected to the. supporting member G and said supporting member and the latch B are then slipped over the pivot pin 12 which projects in wardly from the front Wall of the casing A of the lock. rlhe end of said pivot pin 12 is then upset, as shown in Figure 5, so as to hold said parts in operative relationship, the opposite end portion of the supporting member G being interlocked With the side Wall of the casing by the lugs 15a on the latch guide 15 which Were inserted in the recesses in the casing provided for same before the supporting member G Was slipped over the pivot pin 12. rlhe final step in the assembling operation is to insert the Wedge shaped loiver end portion 9 of the spring F in the notch 11 in the trigger E and then snap the upper end portion of said spring into a hole provided for same in the top side of the latch B.

A refrigerator door fastener of the construction above described is inexpensiveV to manufacture, due to the fact that most of the element-s of same can be formed from sheet metal stampings and it is reliable in operation and can be used for small household refrigerators, because the co-operating parts of same are of rugged designs and are compactly arranged, and the means that is used to actua-tc both the latch and the trigger consists of a very stift' C-shaped spring l* Having thus described my invention, what l el ai in new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A refrigerator door fastener providedI with a latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a movable trigger for holding said latch in an inoperative posi-l tion. and a substantially C-shaped spring combined with said latch and trigger for moving both of said elements to render them operative.

2, A refrigerator door fastener provided with a latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a shiftable trigger provided with a portion that is adapted to move into and out of the plane ofthe latch, a tapered member for actuating the trigger, and a spring combined With said latch and with said tapered member' in such a Way as to cause said tapered member to move the trigger into an operative position when the latch is disengaged from the keeper.

A refrigerator door fastener provided with a pivotally mounted latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a trigger for holding said latch in an inoperative position, an abutment, a pointed ineinber adapted to be moved between said abutment andV trigger to render the trigger operati e, and means for causing said pointed member to actuate the trigger when the latch is disengaged from the keeper.

Il. .A refrigerator door fastener provided. with a pivotally mounted. latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a pivotally mounted trigger arranged adja cent said latch and provided With a portion that is adapted to move into the plane of the latch, an abutment arranged adjacent the trigger, a Wedge that is adapted to move between said abutment and trigger to render the trigger operative, and a spring combined with said latch and Wedge for causing said Wedge to operate and for causing the latch to move into engagement With the keeper when the trigger is rendered in operative.

5. A refrigerator door fastener provided with a pivotally mounted latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a pivotally mounted trigger provided with a portion that is adapted to move into and out of the plane of the latch, an abutment adjacent said trigger, and a substantially Cshaped spring having one of its ends arranged in engagement with the latch and provided at its opposite end. With a Wedge that is adapted to be forced between the abutment and trigger when the latch is disengaged from the keeper.

6. A refrigerator door fastener provided With a pivotally mounted latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a

pivotally mounted trigger adjacent the latch that swings at substantially right angles to the latch, a portion on said. trigger that is adapted to hold the latch inoperative when said trigger swings in one direction, and a substantially C-shaped spring having its upper end portion engaged With the latch and provided at its lower end portion With a Wedge that causes the trigger to swing laterally into an operative position when the latch is disengaged from the keeper.

7. A refrigerator door fastener provided with a pivotally mounted latch, means for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a pivotally mounted trigger arranged to swing at substantially right angles to the latch and provided with a portion that is adapted to engage and hold it in an inoperative position, a stationary, inclined member arranged adjacent said trigger, a notch in one edge of said trigger, and a substantially C- shaped spring, arranged with one of its ends in engagement With the latch and provided at its opposite end with a wedge positioned in the notch in the trigger and arranged in engagement with said inclined surface.

8. A refrigerator door fastener, comprising a casing, a pivotally mounted latch inside of said casing provided With a portion that projects laterally through the casing, a handle on the exterior of the casing for 4disengaging said latch from the keeper', a

supporting member inside of the casing provided with a guide for the latch, a trigger pivotally connected to said supporting member vand provided with a member adapted to move into and out of the plane of the latch, and an actuating member adapted to move between the trigger and a portion of said supporting member to swing the trigger laterally into an operative position when the latchis disengaged from the keeper.

9. A refrigerator door fastener, comprising a casing, a pivotally mounted latch in said casing, a handle for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a supporting member inside of the casing provided with a guide for the latch, means for interlocking said guide with the casing, a pivotally mounted trigger on said supporting member arranged to swing at substantially right angles to the latch and provided with a portion for liolding the latch in an inoperative position, and a substantially C-shaped spring for rendering the latch operative and for causing the trigger to swing laterally into an operative position when the latch is disengaged from the keeper.

10. A refrigerator door fastener, com prising a casing, a pivot pin carried by said casing, a latch oscillatingly mounted on said pivot pin and provided with a portion that projects laterally through the side Wall of the casing, a handle on the exterior of the casing for disengaging said latch from the keeper, f

a supporting member inside of the casing supported at one end by said pivot pin, a latch guide on the opposite end of said supporting member that is interlocked with the casing, a pivot-ally mounted trigger on said supporting member arranged to swing at substantially right angles to the latch and provided with a portion for holding the latch in an inoperative position, and a substantially C-shaped spring arranged with one of its ends in engagement With said latch and provided at its opposite end With a vfedge that is adapted to be forced b'etween the trigger and said supporting niember to swing the trigger laterally into an operative position.

ll. A refrigerator door fastener, compris ingla casing, a pivotpin inside of said casing, a pivotally mounted latch on said pivot pin provided With a portion that projects laterally through the side Wall of the casing, a handle on the exterior of the casing for disengaging said latch from the keeper, a supporting member inside of the casing supported at one end by said pivot pin and provided at its opposite end with a latch guide that is interlocked with the casing, a trigger pivotally mounted on said supporting member under the latch, an arm on said trigger that is adapted to hold the latch in an inoperative position, a tripping device on said trigger that projects laterally through the latch `guide, a notch in one edge of said trigger, an inclined surface on said supporting member arranged adjacent said notch, and a substantially C-shaped spring arranged with its upper end in engagement `with the latch and provided at its loiver end surface.

ADOLPH RUBIN.

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