US1634634A - Latch and keeper means - Google Patents

Description

July 5, 1927.

F. M. VANDERVOORT LATCH AND KEEPER MEANS Filed July 12, 192:5

g Sheets-Sheet 1 gag 50 as fiarws wndaruoorii a i a w a n QC? J m WW g w. W 5 SJ 0 ,2 Z J k a 9 .l a (M a m J B r ZN Patented July 5 1927.

UNITED STATES. PATENT-OFFICE.

FRANCIS M. vANDERvooR'r, or PUEBL 'coLoBAno, AssIeNoR 'ro THE rosI'rIvE Locl; p

' oomramz, OFIP-UEBLO, oo'noimno. A CORPORATION or COLORADO. a

particular use.

strlictions.

It is very difficult to preve 'an automobile from rattling when the auto-- mobile is operated. Twisting of theautomobile frame and body, slamming of the doors, and the vibration of the automobile in motion ordinarily cause the latch and keeper parts and the doors to loose "LATCH Ann kEErEn means.

l ncau li filed my 12,(1923. ,Serial No. 651,112.

. rattle ina very short time.

An object of this lnventl latch'means in which all movable parts are held against rattling no matter how loosely these parts may befitted or 110 much they may wear.

Another 0 keeper unnecessary,

manufactured.

automobiles allustrative and not restrictive.

In the drawmgs, i F1g. 1 1s a side elevation of the keeper means tion.

al view of latch and keepermeans embodying thisinvention shown in the position which the 'parts thereof occupy when mounted on the door and door jamb, respectively, of an automob le, part of such door and door jamb being shown in dotted lines. Part of the casing is shown in cross-sec nt the doors of n up and on is to' provide 'e'ct of the invention is to provide keeper means which will readily yield to receive the latchbolt, making slamming of the door to engage the latch bolt in the said keeper: means i firmly holding the latch bolt against rattling.

A further object of the invention is to provide-latch and keeper means of simple but rugged construction which can be cheap- .Fig.'. 2 is a-sectional view taken on the of the arrows. The'section of the keeper in the direction of the arrows. n l v Fig. 3is a sectional view taken on'the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking. in the direction of the arrows. p

' Fig. 4 is a plan view of keeper means embodying the invention with one of the cover plates removed, showing the latch bolt,

keeper means.

, the keeper means.

means. i 4

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 77of Fig. 2.1ooking in the direction of the arrows, and

.Fig. 8 is ,a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1 looking in the. direction of the arrows.

a door, such as the door of'an automobile, the latch having a normally projecting bolt that engagesin and is held in latched position by keeper means mounted in the door'jamb, the keeper means yielding toreceive and latch the bolt when the door is closed. To open the door, the latch bolt is withdrawn laterally. from within the,keeper means. In its latched position, the projected bolt is clamped against all lateral movement the latch mounting or casing and the keeper means has elements whichclamp and' hold Referringto; the drawings, 10 indicates generally the latch mounting or casing which may be of any desirable shape and construethe construction illustrated is especially desirable, especially from the standpoint of re-- mounting 10 comprises a base or back plate 11 provided with holes 12 to receive suitable fastening means such as screwsor rivets for securing the latch to the door, indicated-in I dotted lines at D. Base plate 11 has an line '2f2 of Fig.1 lookingin thedirection "means is taken on .line 22 of Fig. 4 looking illustrated in section, in position in-the Fig. 5is a' view similar to Fig. 4 show- .lng the bolt,iillustrated in section, entering- Fig. 6 is, an end view of the latching Generally stated, the present invention comprises a latch adapted to be mounted on" 90 the latched bolt against rattling in the keeper tion to support the latchparts, although ducing manufacturing costs. As shown, the

integral angular extension 13 at one end to form the front face of the mounting or casing, the extension being designed to lie flush in the free or swinging edge of the door.. Extension 13 is provided, with a hole 14 to permit passage of the bolt- B therethrough. Secured to base or back plate 11 is a housing plate 15. In the present instance. housing plate 15 comprises an integral piece of sheet metal bent to form sides 16, 17 '18 and end 19 of a bolt guiding and housing chamher indicated generally by 151; andside '20 and end 21 of a housing for the bolt-operat ing parts of the latch. Housing plate 15 may be secured to base or back 'plate 11 by any suitable means, but the, securing means shown is preferred since it eliminates the use of rivets or screws. As illustrated, hous+ ing plate 15 is provided with lugs 22 which extend through cooperating apertures 23 in the back plate 11, the lugs being bent over to securely hold the two plates together.

. Housing plate '15 isconnected to front plate or extension 13 by a bent lug or tongue 221 extending into an aperture or socket 231 of the bolt B is cut away for a short disadjoin front plate 13 with projecting lugs provided in plate 13. The" bolt B is.sup-' portedandguided for sliding movement in the boltchamber 151 formed by back plate 1 11 with its'extension 13 and sides 16, 17. 1 8

and-end 19 0f housing plate 15. It will be noted, as seen in Fig. 2, that: side 17 of the bolt chamber 151 does .not extendover so .farasthe front: plate 13, leaving that side of the bolt chamber open at the front end. Sides 16 and 18 of the bolt chamber are each? "provided at the points where these sides or tongues 38 which are bent to overhang the sides of the'channel bolt B to form guides org bearing surfaces for the latter. As shown in 6, the hole; 14 provided in frontplate 13 to aiford a. passagefor bolt B there through is made large enough to T receive I lugs or tongues 38 whereby plate;13 and slugs 38 are mutually braced and supported.

f having a web 24 and flanges 'or sides 25'and Bolt B maybe of any 'suitablecons'truction, but the construction illustrated-is preyferred because such a .bolt'may 'be cheaply made of stamped sheet metal. vIn. the present 'instanoe, bolt B- is U or channel-shaped,

\ 26;, As: stated previously, bolt B is supported for sliding movement' in the bolt:

I chamber, thelprojecting or, forward end of v v the bolt extending through aperture '14 in will be observed that'the bolt extends between and engages the oppositely inclined the front plate'or extension 13. Intermediate the ends of bolt B a tongue'27 is punched or struck out from the'web 24 of the channel bolt, tongue 27 hearing against back plate 11 to form a bottom guiding or bearing surface for the bolt. Tongue 27 also.

- forms an abutment tobe engaged by the bolt retracting means which 'will. be explainied hereafter. Special guiding means 3 are provided for-the rear or inner end of the bolt. The flanges or sides 25and 26 at the inner or rear end ofbolt B are bent in toward each other at'28 and '29, respectively, so that the edges ofv the'fianges or sides of the channel bolt are oppositely inclined relw tively to each other. (See Fig. 3.) Side 17 of the bolt chamber 151 is bent in to provide a projection 30 having oppositely inclined or bevel portions 31' extending into the bolt chamber and between the oppositely inclined bearing or guiding portions 28 and 29 of flanges or sides 25 and 26,0f the channel bolt B. Projection 30 with its oppositely "bolt-B against all lateral movement when bolt B is pressed thereagainst. Suitable means are provided for normally holding the bolt in projected position and in the ex:

ample illustrated a spring 32 mounted between the rear or innerend of bolt B and end 19 ofthe casing is provided for this purpose. The web at the rear or inner end tance to provide a socket. or recess 33 to receive and support the spring against slipping.

' Meansjto clamp "the bolt against lateral movement in the latch casing when the bolt is projected are provided. Intermediate its ends, the'bolt B is provided with a bevel or "inclined portion 34. In the example illustrated thebolt is bentto form the bevel or inclined portion,-but' it is obvious that the bevel portion could be cast on or cut out of the boltw-ithin the broad scope of the invention.. Theibevel portion 34 of the bolt engagesfsuitable abutment means. or stops 35 to wedge the bolt in the casing against lateral movement when the-bolt is projected.

Referring to Fig, 7 it will be noted that in the present instance there are two abutment members or stops and that each abut.-

ment member-for stop 35 comprises a base;

aortion -'36' and an inclined end portion 3?. The inclined end portion 3'? is inclined lOIlgl tudinally with relatioiito the bolt to corre-- spond .to the inclined portion 34 of the bolt. 1

The inclined end portions 37 ,of the abut ments or stops 35 are also inclinedlaterally of the bolt and in this instance the end portions are oppositely inclined relatively to each other and to the .web ofthebolt and it end portions of the abutme'nts or steps when the bolt is projected. The abutments or stops 35 act to limit outward movement oi the bolt B andv when the bolt engages the abutments or stops, the bolt is moved lateralguides. When the bolt -B is in the projected position the inclined, abutments or stops 35 be'rs and guides for'the bolt are oppositely inclined transversely of the bolt, the bolt is.

clamped against all lateral movement'when it is projected. The abutment members or stops may be constructed in any suitable manner, but in the present instance, the abutment members are made integral with the back plate 11 and are formed from tongues cut 01' struck out from the back plate. J

Any suitable means for retracting the bolt may be provided. In the present instance,

a lever 39 pivoted at 40 to the latch casing is provided, the lever extending up to or slightly above the top of the door to which the latch is mounted. The operating lever 39 is pressed by spring means 41 into engagement with a. roll back or cam 42 pivoted at 43 to the latch casing. 'hile any type of spring may be used, the type illustrated is preferred. In the present instance, spring 41 is a plate spring having a bent portion 44 at one end hooklng over a lug or tongue 45 struck out from the back plate 11'. The other end 46 of the spring engages the pivoted lever 39 to hold the latter in engagement with the cam or roll back 42 and thus prevent rattling of both the lever and rollback. Lever 39 is adapted to engage the tongue or guide 27 provided intermediate the ends of the bolt B to retract the bolt as previously explained. Vith the parts in their normal position, lever 39 is Spaced away from the tongue 27 so that the lever will not engage the bolt and prevent projection and consequent clamping of the bolt. Roll-back 42 is provided with a square aperture 47 to be engaged by the shank of an outside handle not shown. When the handle is turned, it will swing the roll-back 42 which in turn will swing the lever 39 to retract the bolt. Any suitable means of pivoting the lever and roll-back to the latch casing may be provided, but the means shown is preferred from the standpoint of reducing manufacturing costs. As shown in Fig. 8, the roll-back and lever are each provided with anextruded portion 48 and a socket 49. In each case, the extruded portion 48 is fitted in an aperture 50 provided in one of the plates of the casing and the other plate is provided with a hollow extruded portion 51 engaging in the socket 49 of the roll-back or lever as the case may be. It will be noted that the latch is composed of a). minimum number of parts and that these pa ts can all be made of sheet metal bent by tamping operations to assume their proper shape.

The use of. rivets, bolts, screws or ptherv The keeper means is mounted within a suitable mounting or casing comprising two plates 52 and 53. In the present instance, each of the plates 52 and 53 is provided with integral right angular extensions to form sides and ends. The casing members 52 and 53 are held together by any suitable means, but the securing means shown is preferred since it serves the double function .of holding the plates together and also providing apertures for the insertion of rivets, screws or other means for securing the casing to the door jamb J. As shown in Fig. 1 one of the casing plates, in this instance plate 52 is provided wit-11 a hollow extruded. portion 52 and the other plate, in this instance plate 53, is provided wit-ha corresponding hollow extruded portion 53 extending into the cooperating extruding portion on plate 52, the projecting end of the extruded portion of plate 53being expanded or riveted to hold the two plates together. A counter-sunk aperture is thus provided to receive suitable fastening means as previously explained.

Mounted between the casing members 52 and 53 are provided means for latching the bolt B and for clamping the bolt against rattling in the keeper means.

Referring especially to Figs. 4 and 5, mounted within the casing members 52 and 53 are two opposed hookshaped latching members 54 and 55 pivoted at 56 and 57 re-v spectively. The hook ends 58 and 59 respectively of the members 54 and 55 are disposed adjacent one side of the casing of the keeper means and extend into a slot or re cess 60 provided in the keeper casing, the latch or hook members being pressed or urged-toward each other'by suitable spring means. In the present instance, the hook members 54 and 55 are pressed toward each otherby coiled springs 61 and 62, respectively, each spring extending between an end of the casing and its respective hook member, the hook members each being provided with a seat 63 to receive an end of one of the springs. The opposed'edges of the hook members 54 and 55 are formed to provide recessesor indentations 64 and 65 respectively. These identations or recesses provide a support or cradle fora movable abutment member 66. Abutment member 66 is provided with a face 67 conforming substantially to the contour of the bolt B and withcircular or curved end portions 68 and 69 engaging in the recesses oridentationsg64 and respectively 'of the hook members 54 and 55. Abutment member 66 is also 'prvoided with a lateral projection which extends between the pivoted ends of the hook members, said pivoted ends forming guides to support and to permit sliding movement of the abutment member between the pivoted ends of the hook members. Swinging of the hook members causes a sliding movement of the abutment member. It will be observed that abutment member 66 also forms a stop or abutmentto prevent the hook members from swinging. together or closing so far that entry of the bolt into the keeper would be prevented. In the example illustrated, hook ' members 54, 55 and abutment 66 are of *moved to closed position, the bolt B, shown in cross section, will engage the curved surfaces 58 and 59 of the book ends 58 and '59, respectively, to separate the opposed pivoted hook members 54 and 55. This causesthe sliding movement of abutment member 66 away from the entering bolt due to the engagement of the ends 68 and 69 of the abutment member in the cam recesses or identations 4 and 65 respectively of the hook mem ers 54 and 55. When the bolt has been moved so that the bolt is entirely between the hook members 54 and 55, the hook members will swing toward each other, hook ends 58 and 59 moving to overhang and hold position, it is clamped against rattling and that the boltjs clamped at all times when in the latched position, irrespective of wear of the parts.

While any suitable means for pivoting the latch members to the casing may be used, the means illustrated is preferred, As illustrated in Fig. 2, each hookmember, which in the present instance is shown made of two pieces is provided with an extruded portion 7l and a socket portion 72. One of the easing plates, in this case the casing plate 52 is provided with an aperture 73 adapted to receive an extruded portion 71 and the opposite plate, in this case plate 53 is provided with a hollow extruded portion 74 engaging in a socket 72 of one of the hook members. In this manner, the use of pins or rivets as pivot points for the hook members is eliminated and the means for pivoting the hook members may be made in a stamping operation.

While a latch bolt of channel shape has been shown and hook members shaped to cooperate with the channel shaped bolt have been shown, it is obvious that these parts may be differently shaped. Other modifications within the scope of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact arrangements illustrated and described.

What I claim is:.

1. The combination, with a bolt,' of latch- I ing means therefor projecting in the path of said bolt movable to allow the bolt to pass and then movable to prevent the bolt repassing, and abutment means engageable by said bolt, said latching means provided with cam means engaging said abutment means to presssa-id abutment means against said bolt whereby said abutment means presses against and holds the bolt in engagement with said latching means.

2. The combination, with a bolt, of latching meanstherefor comprising means projecting in the path of the bolt yieldable to allow the bolt to pass and then-movable to overhang the bolt and prevent its passage in the opposite direction, and cam operated abutment means engaging and pressing said bolt against said latching means.

3. The combination, with a bolt,of latching means therefor movable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, and a slidable abutment operable by said latching means to hold said bolt in engagement with said latching means.

\ 4. The combination, with a bolt, of

ing means therefor inovable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, and an abutment supported by and slidably connected to said latching means, said abutment pressing said bolt against said latching means.

,5. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means therefor comprising members resiliently pressed one toward the other and latchseparable by entry of the bolt therebetween,

and an abutment, said abutment being embraced by and supported between said members whereby said abutment presses said bolt against said members; c

6. The combination, with a bolt, of opposed members resiliently pressed one toward the other and adapted to latch said bolt therebetween, and a movable abutment, op-.

posed edges of said opposed members engaging said abutment whereby the abutment is supportedibe'tween said members,

said abutment limiting the movement of one opposed member toward the other. i 7. The combination, with a,bolt,-of latchv ing means therefor comprising a movable abutment, and a hook member, saidbolt being movable past the hook end of saidmemher to latch the bolt in the space between f said hook end and said abutment, said hook member. provided with cam means engagin said abutment, said abutment pressing sai bolt against said hook end.

8., A device of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and an abutment engageableby a bolt entering between said members, one of sand members provided with cam means en: gaging said abutment to press said abutment against said bolt, said abutment pressing the bolt against said opposed members.

9. device of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween,

m and an abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said abutment being supported for sliding movement by said members, said abutment operable by said members to engage the bolt and pressthe same against said'opposed members.

- l0. A device of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a'. bolt there'- between, and a slidable abutment engage- 3 able by a boltentering between said members, said abutment said members.

v 11. A device' .of the class described coinopposed members.

A device of the class described compl'lSlIlg opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said opposed members-each provided with a recess, and an abutment engaging in such recesses engageable bya bolt entering between saidmembers, said abutment pressing the bolt against said opposed members. A device-of the class described comprising opposed members separable one'from' the other by the insertion of a bolt there- V between, and an abutmentengageable by a bolt entering between said members, said members formed to provide a cradle embrac ing and supporting said abutment whereby 66 when the members are separated by the enpressing said bolt against tering bolt, the abutment is moved away from the bolt and when the members are forced together to engage the bolt, the abutment engages thebolt and presses the same inrengagement with said members.

1a. A- device of the class described comprising opposed members separable onelfrom the other by the insertion of abolt therebeg tween, and an abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, the opposite edges of said opposed members being shaped to provide camming indentations. re-

ceiving said abutment whereby the abutment is moved toward or away from the boltas the opposed members are moved toward. or away from the bolt. 1

15. A device of the character described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion ofa bolt therebetween, spring means urging said members toward one another, and an abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, one of said members formed 'to provide cam means engaging said abutment to press said abutment against the bolt, said abutment pressing the bolt against the opposed members.

I16,"'A device of the character described comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insercomprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and an abutment en-C gageable by a' bolt entering between said members, said abutment being slidably connected to said opposed members whereby when said members are separated by the entering bolt, the abutment is moved away from the bolt and when the members are forced together to engage the bolt, theabutment engages the boltand presses the same against said members;- I i ,v

18; A device of the character-described comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, spring means urging said memberstowar'd one another, and a slidind, abutment engageable by a'bolt en-' tering between said members, said members being provided with'cam means engaging said abutment to 'ress said abutment against the bolt, said a utment pressing the bolt against theopposed members.

comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt threbetween, spring means urging 19. A device of the character described said members toward one another, and an abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, each of said members formed to provide a cam recess receiving said abutment, said abutment engaging the bolt and pressing the same against said members.

20. A device of the character described comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, spring means urging said members toward. one another, and a slidable abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, the o posite edges of said opposed members being ormed to provide camming indentations, the abutment engaging in said indentations whereby the abutment is supported between said members. 9

comprising opposedipivoted members separable one from the other by the insertion or a bolt therebetween, and an abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said abutment engaging said pivoted members intermediate their pivoted and swinging ends whereby the abutment is supported between said pivoted members, said abutment provided with a projection em 3 tending between the pivoted ends of said members, said pivoted ends forming guides to permit sliding movement out said abutment. 22. A latch comprising, a casing, "a bolt carried by said casing, means normally projecting said bolt from said casing, and means carried by said casing for clamping said bolt against substantially all lateral movement when the bolt is projected 23., In a latch, the combination with a bolt, of means normally projecting said bolt, and means at both ends of said bolt clamping the bolt against all lateral movement when the bolt is projecte 3 A latch comprising a casing, a bolt normally projecting from said casing, and means for clamping said bolt in casing against all lateral movement when the bolt is projected.

25. A latch comprising a casing, a bolt,, bent to provide a bevel portion, normally projecting from said casing, said casing provided with means cooperating said bevel portion'to clamp said bolt against lateral movement when the bolt is projected, 26, A. latch comprising a casing, a bolt bent to provide a bevel portion normally projecting from said casing, one of the walls m of said casing provided with cam means ent gaging said bevel portion when the bolt 18 projected to wedge said bolt against the opposite wall. or said casing to thereby clamp the bolt against lateral movement, 1 D 27. In a latch, the combination, with a bolt provided with a bevel portion, ora casing 21.. A device of the character described provided w near-nee providing guides for said bolt, means normally projecting said bolt from said casing, and means engaging said bevel portion when the bolt is projected and cooperating with said guides to clamp the bolt against all lateral movement when the bolt is projected. I c

28. In a latch, the combination, with a bolt provided with a bevel portion, of a casing providing guides for said bolt, means normally projecting said bolt from said cas ing, and members oppositely inclined relatively to one another engaging said. bevel portion when the bolt is projected to wedge said bolt between said guides and said members.

29.-A latch comprising a mounting provided witha guide passage, a latching member movable in said guide passage, said latching member provided with a bevel por-' tion, and abutment means engaging the bevel portion of said latching member when the latching member is ,pr'ojected to clamp said latching member against all lateral movement in said passage.

30. A latch comprising a mounting provided with a guide passage, a latching member movable in. said guide passage, said latching member provided intermediateits ends with a beveled or inclined portion, and

abut-ment means in said passage inclined longitudinally of the latching member, said 32. A lat h comprising .2 latching member provided with an inclined or beveled,

lid

portion ormediate its ends, a mounting for said l g member, said mounting stormed V evide oppositely inclined guides said ing member, and abutment 7 means engag the inclined ing member projected to force said latching member into engagement with said guides lamp the latching member against later movement,

33.. A latw comprising a latching member an inclined or beveled portion" ts ends, a mounting for said intermedia 1 or beveled pore tion or the latching member when the latclr latching member, said mounting termed. to

provide oppositely inclined guides for said latching member, and oppos1tely,incl1ned abutment members engaging the inclined or beveled portion of the latching member when the latching member is projected to force said latching member into engagement with said guides, said latching member betion intermediate the ends of said latching member, a mounting for said latching member, said mounting formed to provide oppositely inclined guides for said latching member, and abutment means engaging't-he inclined or beveled portion of the latching member. when the'latching member is projected to force said latching member into engagement with, said guides to clamp the latching member against lateral movement. 35. A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt having a web portion and depending sides or flanges, said bolt provided with a beveled or inclined portion intermediate lts ends, a mountmg for guiding said bolt,

said mounting provided with a projection i having oppositely inclined portions extending between the sides or flanges of said channel-shaped bolt, and abutment means engaging the beveled or inclined portion of said bolt when the bolt is projected toi'orce said bolt into engagement with said projection to clamp the bolt against lateral movement.

36. A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt having a web portion and depending sides or flanges, said bolt providedwith a beveled or inclined portion intermediate its ends, a mounting for supporting and guiding said bolt, said mounting provide with a projection having oppositely inclined portions extending between the sides or flanges of said channel-shaped bolt, and abutment members provided with oppositely inclined portions engaging the beveled or inclined portion of the bolt when thebolt is projected to wedge said bolt between said abutment members and to force the bolt into engagement with said projection to clamp the bolt against lateral movement.

37. -A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt having a web portion and depending sides or flanges formed from a single piece of sheet metal, said bolt bent to provide a beveled or inclined portion intermediate its ends, a inounting for supporting and guiding said bolt, said mounting provided with a projection having oppositely inclined portions extending between the sides or flanges of said channel-shaped bolt,

and abutment members provided with oppo- K sitely inclined portions engaging the beveled or inclined portion of the bolt when the bolt is projected to wedge said bolt between said abutment members and to force the bolt into engagement with said projection to clamp the bolt against lateral movement.

38. A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt-having a web portion and depending flanges, the flanges at one end of said bolt being inclined relatively to each other so that. the edges of said flanges form bearing surfaces inclined transversely of the bolt, said bolt provided with a beveled or inclined portion extending longitudinally of the bolt intermediate its ends, a mounting for supporting and guiding said bolt, said mounting provided with a projection hav ing inclined portions extending between the inclined portions of the bolt flanges and cooperating therewith, and abutment members provided with oppositely inclinedportions,

engaging the longitudinally beveled or, inclined portion of the bolt when the bolt is projected to wedge said bolt between said abutment members andto force the bolt into engagement with said'projection to clamp the bolt against lateral movement.

39. A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt having a web portion and depending sides or flanges, said bolt provided with a beveled or inclined portion intermediate its ends, a mounting for supporting and guiding said bolt, spring means for projecting said bolt, the web at one end of the bolt being cut away to form a socket for receiving one end of said spring means, and abiltment means engaging the beveled or inclined portion of said bolt when the bolt is projected to clamp said bolt against lateral movement.

40. A latch comprising a channel-shaped latch bolt having a web portion and depend- 1 'ing sides or flanges formed from a single piece of sheet metal, said bolt provided with a beveled or inclined portion intermediate its ends, a mounting for supporting and guid:

ing said bolt, means for retracting the bolt, said bolt provided with an integral lug or tongue forming a bearing-surface for one side of'the bolt, said lug or tongue also forming an abutment adapted to be engaged by the retracting means when the bolt is retracted, and abutment means engaging the beveled or inclined portion of said bolt when the bolt is projected to clamp said bolt against lateral movement.

41. A latch comprising a mounting provided with a guide passage, a latching member movable in said guide passa e, said latching member provided interme iate its ends with a beveled or inclined portion, means for projecting said latching member, means for retracting said latching member, resilient means normally holding said retract-ing means out of engagement with said.

latching member when the latching member is fully projected, and abutment means engaging said beveled or inclined portion of abutment means inclined latera the latching member when the latcg member is projected to clamp said latching member against lateral movement.

42. A latch comprising a mounting provided with a guide passage, a latching member movable in said guide passage, said latching member provided intermediate its ends with a beveled or inclined plortion, iand y and onneeeeee gitudinally of the bolt, said abutment me said latching member when the latching V member is projected to clamp said latching member against lateral movement.

In testimony whereof} hereunto aiiix my signature.

ans '10- engaging the beveled or inclined portion of

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