US2066277A - Electrically-releasable bolt keeper - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1936. H. F. KEIL 2,066,277

ELECTRICALLY RELEAABLE BOLT KEEPER Filed Dec. 13, -1934 2 Sheets-Shea?. l

20a 20k! yf 20b INVENTOR Dec. 29, 1936. H. F. KEIL ELECTRICALLY RELEASABLE BOLT KEEPEH.

TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLY-RELEASABLE BOLT KEEPER Henry F. Keil, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to Francis Keil & Son, Inc., a corporation of New York Application December 13, 1934, Serial No. 757,292

17 Claims. (Cl. I0-52) This invention relates to vso--called electric door openers and more particularly to the construction of a remotely controlled keeper for the bolt of a door lock or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a releasable keeper construction in which the cost of manufacture may be greatly reduced and the action and construction improved. Another object is to provide a releasable keeper construction in which the individual parts may be rapidly and inexpensively, but accurately, manufactured and quickly and inexpensively assembled. Another object is to provide a releasable keeper construction in which certain parts thereof may be die-cast with coacting or mating portions thereof shaped to mount and receive certain of the moving parts, but in such manner that the resultant assembly achieves, Without requiring precision of fitting or, for that matter, Without requiring any fitting thereof, proper and dependable interaction of the moving and other parts. Another object is to provide a construction of the above mentioned character in which the various parts may be genuinely standardized and inexpensively fabricated in standardized dimensions, shapes or designs, and capable, for example, of bringing about thentended and reliable coactions and interactions thereof.

Another object is to provide, in a construction lof the above mentioned character, easily replaceable parts, whereby replacement or repairs may be quickly made. Another object is to provide, in a construction of the abovementioned character, an inexpensive, simple, but thoroughly practical and dependable, means of mounting the electrical or electro-magnetic parts thereof, and to permit the rapid and inexpensive incorporation thereof into the entire assembly. Another object is to provide a simple and practical method of carrying out objects such as those set forth above. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as Will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which Will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical and electrical features of my invention,

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional View through a door and door frame illustrative of a practicalinstallation of a releasable keeper construction a keeper plate and related integral parts, the 10" parts of Figure 3 being some of those that are omitted from Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the keeper per se;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an armature 15l which comes under the control of the electromagnetic means shown in Figure 7 and is adapted to control the release of the keeper of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a lever through which the armature of Figure 5 controls the keeper of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the electromagnetic sub-assembly;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale as seen along the line 8`8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a perspective or isometric view of the main portion of the casing and related parts for receiving and for coacting with the parts shown in Figures 3 to '7 inclusive. 0,

As conducive to a clearer understanding of cer- 3 tain features of my invention, reference might first be made to Figure 1 in which I have indicated at I0 a door or the like provided with any suitable bolt mechanism, usually of the latchbolt type, and hence provided with a spring-projected latch bolt II operable from the inside of the door, as by the door knob or other suitable place indicated at I2, but not operable from the exterior of the door, as by the door knob or other device indicated at I3, excepting that the latch bolt II may be withdrawn from the outside of the door IIJ by any suitable key and key-controlled mechanism (not shown).

The door swings into closedposition relative to any suitable door jamb or frame or Wall I4, the spring-opposed latch bolt I I projecting in back of a keeper which may be retracted from a remote point Within the structure to permit the door Il! to be` opened from the outside thereof even though the latch bolt II can not be retracted from the exterior of the door.

, Constructions embodying a releasable or retractable keeper, usually electro-magnetically controlled, as heretofore constructed are in a 5,54A

large measure characterized by crudeness and cumbersomeness of construction and assembly, and principally by increased cost of manufacture due to the repeated cut-and-try methods of assembly that are employed due to the character of the construction itself. For example, the parts, as heretofore constructed, require the machining of certainY parts or portions thereof but precision of machining can not effectively be carried out and as a result, when these devices are assembled in accordance with past practice, parts thereof have to be repeatedly takengout, led off or ground, other parts touched up or `iiled or ground, reassembly effected and, if that reassembly does not achieve operative results, one or more orrseveral or more parts are again taken out of the mechanism, again touched up, ground, led or what not, and thus a nally operative Las'- sembly is hoped to be achieved. Y

Furthermore, in such prior constructions l`and methods of procedure considerable spoilage of parts results, and the cost of manufacture -thus additionally increased. Furthermore, parts that are subjected to greatest Wear or that have to bear severe strains and that are usually hardened are often times permanently deteriorated, during the grinding` or filing thereof, by the resultant softening thereof. Y

One of the dominant aims of this invention is to effectively avoid such disadvantages and deficiencies as those noted above, and to provide a remotely controlled retractable keeper construction and a mode of construction and assembly thereof that will materially decrease the cost of manufacture while insuring the production of a far superior mechanism or device than has heretofore been possible.

Accordingly, andagain referring-'to Figure 1, I first provide a casing generally indicated at I5 adapted to support and contain the working parts of the mechanism and shaped to be received within a suitablerecess Ida in the Wall or door frame I4 and adapted to present to the latch bolt II a releasable keeper. The casing I5 is preferably made of s/everal parts, individually cast or prev formed, and adapted to be intertted and interrelated with each other, and accordingly a detailed description of the major one' of these'sev` eral partsV may first be considered.

In Figure 9 is shown in perspective one of the casing parts and it is constructed and shaped, as is about to be described, so as to be capable of being die cast out of any suitable metal and, accordingly and preferably the construction, as shown in Figure 9, is unitary or integral throughout. This casing part, designated as a whole by the reference character I6, has a bottom wall II,V

generally rectangular in shape, and at its opposite ends there are upstanding the end vwalls I8 and I9; the casing part I6 also provides another wall of the outer casing and that may be termed the front wall 20 extended at its respective ends 20a and 20h as well as at its respective sides, as at 2|lc and 20d, beyond the dimensions of the bottom and end walls |1, I8 and I9, thereby to provide a peripherally flanged or extended front wall which, when the ultimate assembly is set into the hole I4a of wall I4 (see Figure 1) may overlap the open end of the hole I4a and may be utilized, as by suitable screws (not shown) passed through the holes 20e and 20j (Figure 9) and threaded into the wall I4.

The casing part IB (Figure'9) is also formed or shaped to receive or to coact with other parts of the mechanism, but in order better and more clearly to understand how the casing part I Bis constructed for these purposes, considerationof the special construction of lthese other parts and of a description thereof must first be had; accordingly, reference may now be made to Figure 4, in which is shown in perspective a keeper member, generally designated by the reference character 2|, and constructed and' shaped for coaction with certain features of the casing part I 6.

The keeper member 2| is, in transverse crosssection, generally T-shaped, as is better shown in theV cross-*sectional view of Figure 1, and accordingly has an arm-like lateral extension 2|a which is the effective keeper portion thereof adapted to coact (directly with the latch bolt II Yand which has an roppositely directed arm-like portion 2lb (Figure 1) provided with a socket or ,y

- coacting bearings later to be described, determin` ing the axis about which the keeper 2| (see Figure 1) may pivot. n

As is better shown in Figure 4, the keeper portion 2|a of the keeper .2|, as well as thesocalled vertical orupstanding portion 2| d thereof,

is of substantial dimension in the direction of the o axis of the keeper 2 I, that axis (see now Figure l) being substantially parallel to the axis about which the door Illswings, whereby the keeper 2| is made to present relatively broad parts or surfaces or portions to the latch bolt which may be of similar breadth or extent or less than that, as the latch bolt ||.slides inwardly (to the right recess2|c vfor thereception of one end of an' in Figure 1) ,and moves downwardly (as viewed in Figure 1) during the door-closing operation or as the latch bolt II, when the keeper 2| is swung in counter-.clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, slides yagainst and past the broad end face of the keeper portion 2|a thereof.

The front wall 20.(Figure 9) of the casing part I6 is provided with a rectangularly shaped opening 23 adjacent to which the keeper member 2| is mounted and through which :the keeper portion 2|a thereof is positioned for coaction with the latch bolt I (Figure 1), the bottom wall I1 (Fig` ure 9) of the casing part |6 being cut away as at Ila throughout a width equivalent tothe axial dimension: of the Vportions 2|a and 2Id of the keeper 2| (Figure. 4) and `to a depth substantially equivalent to the amount `which the latch bolt II (Figure 1) projectsbeyond the left-'hand edge of the door I0; this cut-'away portion Ila of the bottom wall I1 is also apparent in Figure 1, from which it will be seen that, Vif the keeper member 2| is swung in counter-clockwise direction to disengage it from the latch bolt I, the recess 'or hole 23 and the recess I-la in the'wa`11s-20 and of the casing part I1 (Figure '9) permit the free and unobstructed movement (upwardly as viewed in Figure 1) of the latch bolt II with the door as the latter is swung in counter-clockwise direction. F

Now the end wall I9 (Figure 9) of the casing part I 6 is cut away or recessed as at |9a, and in with the other vertical wall of the apertureor recess 23 (Figure 9) is an inside upstanding wall portion 24 of the same height from the bottom Wall I1 as is the end wall I9, wall portion or support 24 being recessed as at 24a, and in the bottom of the recess 24a thereis formed a 'halfcylindrical bearing or bearing surface 24bcoaxial with and of the same radius of curvature as the bearing I9b above described.

The spacing between the wall portions I9 and 24 is such that the keeper member 2| (Figure. 4) is neatly receivable or received therebetween, trunnions 2Ie and 2| f being received within the bearings I9b and 24h, respectively.. Member 2|, when thus slipped downwardly in between the wall portions I9 and 24 of Figure 9, thereby.be., comes related to thecasing part. I6 much 'as appears from Figure 2"and also Figure 1; as is better. shown in Figure 2, the arm 2Ib of the keeper member 2| extends almost horizontally with the spring-receiving recess 2Ic facing upwardly.

At the same time the other arm portion or keeper portion 2 Ia of member 2| virtually fills up the recess 23-| 1a (Figure 9) and is positionedV to have certain of its parts, as already above described, exposed therethrough for ultimate coaction with the latch bolt II.

End wall I9 is provided with another recess |90v whose vertical walls, like those of the recesses I9a and 24a above described, are parallel. The recess I9c is of greater depth than recesses I9a and 24a, and in its bottom it is shaped to provide a half-cylindrical bearing or bearing surfaces I9d.

Upstanding from the bottom wall I1 and parallel to the end wall I9 and, like the other parts, preferably cast integrally therewith, is a wall portion 25 recessed as at 25a and in the bottom thereof provided with a half-cylindrical bearing or bearing surface 25d, axially aligned with and preferably of the same radius of curvature asv the bearing |9d in the end wall I9. 'I

These half-bearings I9d and 25d receive the trunnions 26a and 26h of a lever member generally indicated at 26 in Figure 6.

Member 26, clearly shown in perspective in Figure 6, comprises in effect an L-shaped casting in the ends of the long arm 26o of which thetrunnions 26a and 26h arevformed and in the outer end of the short arm 26d of which there is secured a mechanical contact member 21. The member 21 is preferably of a metal thatV is Well adapted to resist wear and may, for example, be made of hardened steel set into a slot inv the end of the arm 26d and secured in place by a rivet or the like, but preferably where the lever member 26 is a casting, such as a die casting, the wearresisting member 21 is rst set into a die or mold and the member 26 cast about it.

The uppermost face of the long arm 26o, as viewed in Figure 6, is provided with a recess 26e (see also Figure 1) of suiiicient extent in the direction of the length of the long arm 26C adequately to accommodate therein the extreme end of the arm portion 2lb (Figures 4 and 1 and 2) of the keeper member 2|. I

Projecting substantially normally to the plane of the L-shaped lever 26 (Figure 6) and preferably cast or formed integrally therewith, is a lug 26)e shaped substantially as appears best in Figures 6 and 1, and forming in effect a grip or han-f dle which may be grasped between the forenger and the thumb in order to facilitate setting the lever 26 in'tofthe casing part I6 (see Figure` 9) and to bring the trunnions 26a andi-'26h intositting relation with respectl to thebearingsl I9dA and 25d respectively, the lug or handle' portion 26f permit ting the lever 26 to be manipulated so as to bring its arm 26d into the space between'the wall por-y tions 24 and 25 (see Figures 9 and 2) and to bringthe ledge bounding the recess '26e'underneath the arm 2lb (see Figure l) of the keeper mem' ber 2|.

Upstanding from the bottom wall I1 ofthe casA` ing part I6 (Figure 9) and preferably cast integrally therewith, is a stud or post 28 'positioned as is better shown in Figures 2 and 9, which 'is' of slightly lesser height than the height'of thev end wall I8. This post 28 is to support and to serve asa pivot for an armature generally indicated by the reference character 29 and better shown in perspective in Figure 5. Armature 29 is made of any'suitable magnetic material, preferably of sheet steel of appropriate thickness, and is shaped lso as to be readily and .easily stamped into the desired shape or form, as is better shown in Figure 5.

Accordingly, armature 29 is provided with two spaced ears 29a and 29h which are apertured to receive therethrough the stud 28 (Figure 9) and to pivot freely about the latter.'

The ears 29a yand 29D are spaced apart `so that,

when the armature 29'is` dropped into the casing part I6 and its two spaced ears slipped over the pivot pin or stud 28, the latter is substantially accommodated within the space between the planes ofthe outside surfaces of the two ears, andV it will be' seen that the portion 29e of the arma" ture 29 that extends to the left of the ears 29a and 29h is thus brought into coacting relation with the hardened steel insert 21 of the lever 26 (as is better shown in Figure 2). ferring now again to Figure 5, the lower side por'- tion of the armature end 29e is cut away as at 29d so that, when the armature 29 is positioned on its stud 28, the steel insert 21 of the lever 26 is better and more compactly related to it for coactions later described. Preferably the end portion 29e of the armature 29 is hardened.

The portion 29e of the armature 29 (Figure 5) that extends to the right of the ears 29a and 29h is to coact with a suitable electro-magnetic means, preferably taking the form of two electro-magnets generally indicated at 36 and 3| in Figure 2, and constructed and mounted and related to the other parts in a manner about to be described, but when properly mounted and positioned a spring 32 (Figures 2 and 5) made preferably of a non-magnetic material such as brass or bronze and secured to the armature 29 as by a pin or rivet 33, restsagainst the exposed cores 34 and 35 (Figure 2) of the electromagnets 30 and 3|, respectively, and thus normally urges and holds the armature 29 (Figure 2) away from the cores 34 and 35.

The extreme right-hand end of the armature 29 is ;bent substantially at right angles to the portion` 29e to provide an end part 29f which, when the armature 29 is supported by t-he stud 26 as shown in Figure 2, abuts against the insideV face of the front wall 20 in the casing part I6 and thus limits the extent to which the spring 32 can force the armature 29 away from the magnet cores. Its normal position, or position of rest, is that shown in Figure 2, and when in that position the left-hand portion 29o thereof overlaps the hardened insert 21 in the short arm 26d of the lever 26, and thus acts as a stop to pre-` vent swinging movement of the lever 26'.

Considering now the mounting of the electromagnets 3Il-3I `and their assembly with respect Moreover, re-

' in which is threaded the threaded shank of ther to .the above described parts, it is first to `be noted, referring .now again to Figure 9, that the forward inside ends of the bottom wall I1 and end walls I8 and I9, as viewed in Figure 9, are flanged or otherwise shaped to provide grooves I1g, I8g, and I 9g, all connected as shown in Figure 9. These anges or grooves are shaped moreover, as are the other features and vportions of the casing part I6, to facilitate die castingk thereof.

As earlier above noted, the electro-magneticmeans that is to act upon the armature 29 may, and preferably does, comprise two coacting electro-magnets 30-3I these are shown in Figures 2 and 7. Electro-magnet 30 may comprise an iron core 34 and a Winding 36 carried lthereby between insulating disks 31-38, suitably fixed thereto; and electro-magnet 43I may comprise an iron core 35 with a winding 39 thereon and held in place by end insulating disks -4I, suitably xed or secured to the core 35. Cores 34 and 35 (Figure 2) have extensions 34a and 35a of reduced diameters received respectively in appropriately spaced holes 42a and 42h (Figures 1, 2,

vand '1) in an iron or steel plate 42 molded into a member 44 made of any suitable solid dielectric material, such as fibre, bakelite, laminated bakelite, or the like. Any suitable means may be employed for preventing the reduced core ends 34a and 35a from going out of the holes 42a and 42h, respectively, of the inset member 42 and illustratively the extreme ends may be headed over, as at 34h and 35h respectively, much the same as a rivet may be expanded or headed over. By this means the cores, and hence the electromagnets 30-3I are rigidly and dependably mounted onto the member 44 (Figure '1) and in approp-riate spaced relation, it being noted that the assembly `of these parts may be quickly and easily carried on and, moreover, free from cumbersome or annoying operations.

The electromagnets SI1-3l (Figures 2 and '7) will be seen to be mounted adjacent the righthand endof the insulating member 44 and appropriately spaced in the remaining or left-hand half portion of the insulating member 44 are provided terminal binding posts or binding screws 45 and 46, to which the conductors 41 and 48 (Figure 2) leading from the windings 36 and 39 (which are preferably connected in series) are connected. This connection anda construction of the binding screws are preferably as shown in-'Figure 8, a description of which will Suflice for both.

Accordingly, it will be seen that in the outer face of the insulating member 44 I provide a recess 44e between the bottom of which anda Washer lis received the bared wire 5I of the conductor 41, the latter being brought from the inside or rear face of the insulating member 44 through an aperturev or hole 44j that is drilled or formed adjacent to the threaded hole 44g binding screw 45.

When, therefore, the insulating member 44 with its electro-magnets 30 and 3l and terminal connectors 45 and 46 forming a sub-assembly or unit, as appears in Figure 7, is dropped or slid downwardly so'that its ribs slide into and interengage the above-mentioned grooves in the casing part I6, the latter will have added to it anotherclosing wall, but at vthe same time the electro-magnets 30-3I becomeproperly and appropriately related 'to the armature 29 (see now Figure .2) 4and the .connecting screws 45-46 ,ibe-A come part .of the ultimate casing .constructionbut (see Figure 2) vpositioned for access thereto externally, as for the connection thereto of the outside conductors 52 and 53.

In the lultimate installation, therefore, the binding screws 45 and 46 (see now Figures 2 and 1) may be slightly backed oi to permit the bared conductors to be -hooked or wrapped around the Shanks of the binding screws but in between the heads thereof and the washers 50.

When :the binding screws 45 and 46 are tightened' up the conductors related to each are securely clamped'and thus dependable connections to the windings of the electro-magnets assured.

Though in the foregoing description it may be inferred that the sequence `of assembly of the parts is such that the keeper 2I (Figure 4) must first be related to the casing part I6, then the receiver 26 (Figure 6), then the armature 29 (Figure 5) and then the subassembly 3Il-3I---44v (Figure 7), it is to be distinctly understood that that sequence is merely illustrative and has been adopted to achieve greater clarity of description. Any order or sequence of assembly that may be found more desirable than any other may be adopted and carried out. In any event, however, the accurately pre-formed ror pre-dimensioned parts, when assembled to the casing part I6, are, particularly due to the unique features of construction and arrangement described, .,capable, when the assembly is ultimately completed, of proper and dependable operation. Tedious time-consuming or laborious ttingl ing or grinding accompanied by cut-and-try methods and repeated assemblies and disassemblies are entirely avoided and, moreover, the assembly of the partsy thus far described, requiring at the most only the sequential laying of the parts into the casing part I6, is a matter of only a few seconds.

Having completed the assembly thus far, the ultimate casing will be seen to have been provided withall but one closing wall, and there remains to be assembled thereto and fixed in position the remaining closing wall which is to be juxtapositioned to the bottom wall I1 (Figure 9) of the casing part ,I6 vand thev construction of which is best shown in Figure 3, wherein it is designated by the reference character 55.

This closing wall (Figure3) is a plate-like member, generally rectangular in shape, and dimensioned to overlapy .the end walls I8 and I9 of the casing part I6 (Figure 9) and to overlap the end wall formed by the insulating member 44 (Figures 2 and 3), and to be intertted with or to be overlapped by the front wall 20 (Figures 9 and 2).

At its end face the plate member 55, also shaped and dimensioned to be readily die cast, has depending therefrom and integrally formed therewith two longitudinally spaced parts `55a and 55h provided with half-cylindrical bearing surfaces or bearings 55c and 55d respectively, these parts being shaped and spaced to be received respectively in the Vrecesses I9a and 24a (Figure 9) of `the wall portions I.9 and24 of the casing part I6. 'Ihe half-cylindrical bearing surfaces thereof close over the exposed portions of the trunnions 2Ie and 2If of the keeper mem` ber `2I thatv rests in the half-bearings I9b and 24h vas vabove described, thus providing these trunnions with complete bearings of adequate size and dimensions for long, continued use.

Member 55l (Figure `3) also has depending therefrom and `integrally formed Ytherewith parts ed 'flange 55p (Figure 3)k along the right-hand 55e and 551 shaped to provide half-cylindrical bearing surfaces or bearings 55g and 55h, respectively, and shaped, when member 55 is related to the casing part I6 (Figure 9) to telescope or fit into the recesses |9c and 25a in the wall portions I9 and 25, respectively. The halfbearings 55g and 55h (Figure 3) are thus brought down on to and over the trunnions 26a and 26h, respectively, that are already resting in the halfbearings |9d and 25d, and thus adequate and substantial bearings for the lever member 26 are provided and, when the plate member 55 is secured in position, lever member 26, justI like keeper member 2|, is fixed and held in assembled and operative relation to the other parts.

Again referring to Figure 3, the member 55 has depending therefrom and integrally formed therewith a stud or pin 557', generally cylindrical in shape and proportioned with respect to the spring 22 (see Figure l) to enter into one end of the latter and to be gripped thereby, thereby permitting the spring to be fixed to the member 55 (Figure 3) prior to the assembly of the cover member 55 to the casing part I6 (Figure 9).

Moreover, the stud or projection 557 (Figure 3) and hence the spring 22 (Figure 1) is so positioned that, when cover member 55 is assembled to the casing part I6, it is juxtaposed (see now Figure 1) to the' recess 2lc in the keeper ,member 2| into which the other or otherwise free end of the spring 22 is received. Thus the assembly of the spring 22 into operative relation to the moving parts of the mechanism is achieved simultaneously with the assembly of the cover member 55 to the rest of the casing.

Again referring to Figure 3, the end face of cover member 55 has depending therefrom and integrally formed therewith a stud or lug 55k which becomes juxtaposed to and just about rests upon the upper end of the stud 28 (Figure 9), about which the armature 29 pivots, the part 55k (Figure 3) being of greater lateral expanse than the face of the stud 28 (Figure 9) so that upward movement of the armature 29 along its stud 28 is prevented. Armature 29 is thus confined, by the bottom wall I'I (Figure 9) and by the projection 55k (Figure 3) against movement lengthwise of the stud 28, though permitted freely to pivot or swing about the latter within the limits earlier yabove described.

The cover member 55 (Figure 3) is provided along the forward edge of its end face as viewed in Figure 3 with two spaced anges forming therebetween a groove or slot 55m within which the rib 44h (Figures 8 and 2) is received when the cover member 55 is related to the casing part I6, the insulating member 44 (Figures 7 and 8) being thus peripherally encased or interposed and interengaged by the grooves in the casing parts I6 and 55 which receive the peripheral ribs of the insulating member 44. The latter is thus not only dependably xed in position and its magnets 36-3I likewise xed in their relation to the other parts of the mechanism, but also is dependably and reliably reenforced by the metal casing parts 55 and I6 and reliably prevented from warping or becoming distorted.

The rear edge of the member 55 as viewed in Figure 3 is stepped or cut away as shown so that it will snugly interiit with the shape of the inside face of the wall 2!) (Figure. 9), the latter being thickened or enlarged as .at 20k about the recess 23 therein. This interfitting prevents the cover member 55 from moving toward the left relative to the casing part vI6 while a downwardly directedge of the member 55 becomes seated to the left of the end wall I8 of the casing part I6 (Figure 9) and thereby prevents movement ofthe cover member 55 in a direction toward the right.

As the member 55 thus rests in interfitting relation with the casing parts i6 and 44, its end face is also engaged by the thickened or enlarged post members ISIC and 25e, each of which is provided with a threaded hole as is clearly shown in Figure 9. With these threaded holes, holes 55q and 55s (Figure 3) register, the latter holesY being countersunk externally ofthe cover plate 55` to receive screws 56 and 51 (Figure 9) which, when driven home, become threaded into the parts |9lc and 25e and securely hold the cover member 55 and the parts held by the latter, all in assembled relation.

All of these operations of assembly are ccmpleted in but a minute fraction of the time that heretofore has been requisite in constructing so called electric door openers according to prior practice, a complete assembly being achievable in only a few seconds of time due to the unique structural features of the individual parts and due to the unique interrelation and coaction thereof and therebetween.

The thus completed device is now ready to be installed, for example, in the manner shown in Figure 1 and above already briefly described. The moving or movable parta'particularly the keeper member 2|, the lever member 26 and the armature 29, normally assume the positions and interrelations shown in Figures '1 and 2; the end portion 29e of the armature 29 (Figure 2) overlies they insert 2l of the short arm 26d of the lever 26, confining it between itself and the bottom wall II of vthe casing. v'Lever 26 is thus virtually locked or held against swinging movement about the axisof its trunnions and hence holds the keeper member 2|'V (see now Figure l). immovable in latch-bolt engaging position, due to the arm 2 I b being received within the recess 26e o-f the lever 26. Accordingly, the door I 0 is held against being opened from the outside unless a key or the like is employed to withdraw the latch bolt I I.

If, however, the electro-magnetic means 30-'3I is energized, armature 29 (see Figure 2) is swung in clockwise direction against the action of the spring 32 and thereby its end portion 29c'is moved out of engagement with the member 21 (Figures 2 and 6) of the lever member 26, thereby freeing the latter for swinging movement about the axis of its trunnions and thereby also freeing the keeper member 2I V (Figure 1) for swinging movement about the axis of its trunnions but in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. Normally the spring 22 coacts to hold members 2| and 26 in the position shown in Figure 1, but itsholding action is yieldable; accordingly, with the electro-magnetic means 30-3I energized as above described, and if appropriate force is applied to the door I0 in door-opening direction, latch bolt II, as thedoor i0 swings out of closing position, swings the keeper member 2| in counter-clockwise direction against the action of the spring 22 and las soon as the latch bolt II is moved out of engagement with the keeper portion 2|a of the keeper memberl 2|, vspring 22 returns the keeper member 2| to its normal position, as shown in Figure 1, and likewise returns the lever member 26 to the positions shown in Figures -11 and 2, spring 32 (Figure 2) acting upon the aramature 29, moving the latter and hence its end ,the leverv member 26.

` iof operations just described.

Thus it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention a releasable or retractable remotely controlled keeper construction or s0- called electric door opener? in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. It will be seen that construction costs maybe vastly reduced; parts, such as the casing part I6 of Figure 9 or the parts shown in Figures 3, 4, and k6, may be uniformly and inexpensively constructed as by die casting and all of the parts inexpensively standardized as to dimensions, proportions and the like; accordingly, assembly or disassembly, as well as replacementof parts where necessary, may be quickly and inexpensively achieved. Furthermore, it will be seen that the crude, expensive and troublesome constructions and practices of the. prior art may be dependably disposed with, and numerous thoroughly practical advantages successfully achieved. Further, it will be seen that the resultantconstruction is strong, rugged and durable, is substantially fool-proof, and is well adapted to meet the conditions of hard, practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

f 1. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having means for movably supporting therein a keeper, said casing having at least two walls separable therefrom, said casing being adapted to contain therein mechanism, including` an armature, adapted to hold said keeper against movement and 'upon actuation to permit movement thereof, one of said walls being of solid dielectric material and having mounted thereon and facing inwardly of said casingV and'toward said armature, electromagnetic means for coaction with said armature and having mounted upon the exterior face thereof terminal connecting means, and means whereby, when said other wall is assembled to said casing, said solid dielectric wall vis held in assembled relation and` said electromagnetic means is cooperatively positioned with respect to said armature.

Y 2. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having means for movably supporting therein a keeper, said casing having at least two Walls separable therefrom, said casingbeing adapted to contain therein mechanism, including an armature, adapted to hold said keeper against movement and upon actuation, to permit movement thereof, one of said walls carrying electro-magnetic means for coaction with said armature, and meanswhereby said one wall is intertted with the rest of said vcasingand the other' of said walls is intertted with both, said electromagnetic means Vbeing thereby positioned and supported for cooperation with said armature. 3. In construction of the character described,

lin combination, 'a casing generally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper together with mechanism for holdingr said keeper against movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casing comprising at least three separable parts, one part including a bottom wall and two end walls, said walls being grooved adjacent one end thereof, a second part comprising a side wall member intertted with the aforesaid grooved walls, said side wall carrying means'which, when said side wall is assembled to said first-mentioned part, is operatively related to said armature, and the third part comprising a wall juxtaposed to said bottom Wall of said rst part and engaging said side wall to hold the latter in said grooved other walls.

4. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing generally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper together with mechanism for holding said keeper against movemen-t and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casing comprising at least three separable parts, one part including l a bottom wall and two end walls, a second part comprising a side wall having means for interfitting it with the walls of said first part, and a thirdpart comprising a closing wall juxtaposed to the bottom wall of said first part, one of said last two mentioned parts. carrying electro-magnetic means positioned, when the wall carrying it is assembled to said first part, to coact with said armature, and means whereby said third part holds said second part in assembled relationV to said first part.

5. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing generally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper `together' with mecha.-

nism for holding said keeper against movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casing comprising at least three separable parts, one part including a bottom wall and two end walls, said first part carrying a stud and said armature having bearing means for the reception of said stud, thereby pivotally to support said armature, a second part comprising a side wall interfitted with at least two walls of said rst part and carrying electro-magnetic means which, when said side wall is assembled to said first part, is positioned for coaction with the armature carried by said stud, and a third part provided with means for securing it to said first part and overlapping said stud and said second part.

6'. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing generally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper together with mechanisrn for holding said keeper against movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casing having a bottom wall' member and an attachable opposed closing wall member, a stud flxedly related to said bottom wall member, said armature member having bearing means for the reception of said stud, whereby said armature may be assembled to said stud, and being thereby pivotally mount-ed on the latter, said mechanism including electro-magnetic vmeans for coaction with said armature, and means whereby said closing Wall member, when attached to said casing, holds said armature in assembled relation to said stud.

7. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing generally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper together with mechanism for holding said keeper against movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casing comprising a casing part supporting said mechanismI and detachable wall members to complete said casing, said casing part having a stud for detachably supporting said armature, one of said detachable wall members carrying electro-magnetic means which, when its Wall member is assembled to said part, is positioned for coaction with said armature, and another of said detachable wall members having means for holding said armature in assembled relation to said stud.

8. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing havingk opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other, each of said wall members carrying complementary bearing means which, when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a keeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearing means being completed by said complementary bearing means when said separable wall member is put in place, and means securing said wall member to said casing, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotal movement and is held in assembled relation to said casing.

9. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other, each of said wall members carrying complementary bearing means which, when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a keeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearing means being completed by said complementary bearing means when said separable wall member is put and secured in place, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotal movement and is held in assembled relation to said casing, said opposed wall members having additional complementary bearing means which, when said Wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a member coacting with said keeper and adapter, upon pivoting movement, to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeper and having a means engageable in one of said additional complementary bearing means, another of said additional complementary means completing the bearing means therefor when said separable wall member is put in place whereby it is held in assembled relation to said casing and to said keeper, and means for securing said separable wall member to the rest of said casing and thereby holding said keeper and said coacting member in coacting and assembled relation.

10. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing Ahaving opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other, each of said wall members carrying complementary bearingmeans which, when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a keeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearing means being completed by said complementary bearing means when said separable wall member is put and secured in place, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotal movement and is held in assembled relation to said casing, said opposed wall members having additional complementary bearing means which, when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a member ooacting with said keeper and adapted, upon pivoting movement, to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeper and having a means engageable in one of said additional complementary bearing means, another of said additional complementary means completing the bearing means therefor when said separable wall member is put vin place whereby it is held in assembled relation -to said casing and is cooperatively related to said keeper, a pivoting armature coacting with said member toprevent or to permit movement thereof, one of said wall members having a stud and said armature having bearing means receivable on to said stud, electro-magnetic means for controlling said armature, said electromagnetic means being carried by said casing in such a position that it and said amature are cooperatively assembled upon said armature having its bearing means related to said stud, and means whereby said opposed wall members, when assembled, hold said armature in assembled relation to said stud.

1l. In construction of the character described, in combination, a one-piece casing part for Aan electric keeper-release mechanism andv adapted to be die cast, said part comprising bottom walls and side walls integrally formed and having inltegrally formed therewith upwardly directed other face thereof terminal connecting means that is in electrical connection with the winding of said electro-magnetic means.

13. A sub-assembly for forming part of the casing and mechanism of an electric keeper-releasing device, said sub-assembly comprising, in I combination, a casing wall member dimensioned to form part of the casing and having electromagnetic means mounted thereon, said electromagnetic means having magnetic core means a part of which is embedded in said wall and said wall member carrying terminal connecting means electrically connected to the winding of said electro-magnetic means.

14. A sub-assembly for forming part of the casing and mechanism of an electric keeper-releasing device, said sub-assembly comprising, in combination, a casing wall member made of solid dielectric material and having mounted thereon and exposed on one face thereof velectro-magnetic means forming part of said mechanism and having mounted thereon but exposed on the other face thereof a plurality of connecting terminals that are in electrical connection with the Winding of said electro-magnetic means, whereby, upon assembly of said sub-assembly to the remainder of the casing and mechanism, said electromagnetic means is positioned interiorly of the casing to coact with the remainder of said mechanism, and said connecting terminal means are exposed externally of the casing.

' 15'. In'constructionof the characterv described, in combination, a casing having opposed Wall members, one of which is separable from the other, each of said Wall members carrying complementary bearing means which, when said Wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, a keeper having means receivable between said complementary bearing means, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotal movement, a member that is to coact with said keeper and adapted -upon pivoting movement to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeper in its said bearing means, said member having a bearing portion and said opposed vWall members having additional complementary bearing means for reception of said bearingv portion but so positioned that, when said opposed wall members are assembled with said bearing portion in said additional bearing means, said member is pivotally mounted in proper and cooperative relation to said'keeper, and a pivotable armature adapted to control said member, said opposed wall members having portions for pivotally supporting and holding said armature but so positioned that, when said wall portions are assembled, said armature is properly and cooperatively related to ksaid member, vand means securing said separable wall member to the rest of said casing and thereby holding said keeper, said coacting member and said armature against disassembly.

16. A construction4 as claimed in claim `15 in which there is provided electromagnetic means for controlling said armature, said electromagf and electromagnetic means for controlling lsaid armature, the combination which comprises a two-part casing therefonone casing part having means'for pivotally receiving and supportingsaid armature to pivot about a certain axis, and supporting means for `said electromagnetic means, said two parts having coacting portions for receiving and holding said supporting means in Such a position that the electromagnetic means supported thereby is, upon assembly of said parts,

`properly and cooperatively related to said armature to control the movements thereof about its said axis.

HENRY F. KEIL.

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