US2179958A - Door latch construction - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1939. w. R. scHLAGE DOOR LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 17., 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TToRNEY.

NOV 14, 1939. w. R. scHLAGE DOOR LATCH CONSTRCTIN Filed Jan. 17, 1938 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES DOOR LATCH CONSTRUCTION Walter R. Schlage, Palo Alto, Calif., assignor to Schlage Lock Company, SanFrancisco, Calif.,- a corporation of California Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,372

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a door latch construction.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of door latch mechanisms; to provide a latch mechanism which-is enclosed in a pair of tubular housings, to wit, a housing containing a latch bolt mechanism and a housing containing a latch bolt actuating mechanism; to provide a housingAv assembly in which the latch bolt housing extends through the housing containing the latch bolt actuating mechanism; to provide means for aligning, centering and securing the housings against rotation and endwise movement with relation to each other when assembled; to provide releasable means carried by the latch bolt housing for automatically interlocking the housings when assembled; to provide means actuated by the latch bolt mechanism releasing the interlocking means when the housings are to be removed from the door; to provide means for normally dogging the latchy bolt mechanism against releasing the interlocking means and for limiting movement of the latch bolt beyond normal retracted position;. to provide implement actuated means for releasing the clogging mechanism; to provide a single spring for projecting the latch bolt and for maintaining the dog in clogging position; and

` further, to provide a removable spring saddle for retention and support of said spring.

The structure forming the door latch is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a horizontal central section of the door latch mechanism showing it mounted in a door;

Fig. 2 is a similar section showing a modied form of spindle structure;

Fig. 3 is a, longitudinal section taken at right angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3; g

Fig. 5 is an end view of the latch bolt housing;

Fig. 6 shows the door latch mechanismmounted in the stile of a hollow metal door;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the latch bolt housing;

- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the type of spindle disclosed in Fig. l of the drawings;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the housing containing the latch bolt actuating mechanism;

Fig. l0 is a perspective View of the closure plate secured on the inner end of the latch bolt housing, said View also lshowing a portion of the spring-actuated latch carried by the closure plate;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the latch bolt and the connected retractor;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the dog and the plate supporting the same;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the two housings enclosing the door latch mechanism in assembled position;

Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 are perspective views, respectively, of the type of spindle structure disclosed in Fig. 2 of the drawings;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a spacing and reinforcing plate used when the door latch mechanism is mounted in the hollow stile of a metal door; and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of a door, showing the holes bored therein for the reception of the door latch mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1 to 3 and 7 to 13 inclusive, A and B indicate a pair of housings, one of which will hereinafter be referred to as the latch bolt housing, and the other as the housing containing the latch bolt actuating mechanism. The housings are tubular in shape, as clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 9, and the housing B is provided with two opposed transverse aligned openings 2 2 to permit the housing A to extend through it, as shown in Figs. 1 and 13, when the two housings are assembled. lSimilar openings 3 3 are formed inthe housing A to permit a spindle C to extend through it, and at the same time through the open ends of the housing B. The spindle should preferably assume a central position with relaf tion to the housing B, as it is supported in a pair of escutcheon plates 4 4 which are screwed on opposite ends of the housing B and thus are concentric and central with relation to said housing. To insure proper alignment and centering of the opening 3 3 with relation to the escutcheon plates, lugs 5 5 are formed on the housing B, which enter slots 6 6 formed in the end of the housing A. These lugs secure both housings against rotation with relation to each other, and at the same time secure and limit the movement of housing A in an inward direction. Outward movement and removal of housing A from the housing B, when they are assembled, is prevented by a spring actuated latch l (see Fig. l). The latch is pivoted a's at 8 on a closure plate 9 secured to the inner end of the housing A by bent-over lugs Ill. The latch projects through one of the slots 6, and as such engages the housing B, thereby forming an interlock between the housings, which is automatically established when the housing A is passed through the housing B, said interlock preventing separation of the housings when assembled. This interlock is, however, releasable under certain conditions, through means of the latch bolt and retractor, or by ilnger pressure, as will hereinafter be described.

The latch bolt proper is indicated at D. It is `guided and supported in the outer end oi the latch bolt housingby a guide plate or bushing such as shown at II. The inner end of the latch bolt is slotted to receive aA plate I2 to which it is secured by riveting or other suitable means. This plate is cut out to form a pair of rearwardly extending arms I3-I3, and said arms are connected at their inner ends by a crossbar I4 which will hereinafter be referred to as the retractor bar. The arms are provided with projecting lugs I5-I 5 which extend into slots IS-IB formed in the latch bolt housing. These lugs guide the retractor bar I4, and as this is connected to the latch bolt by means of the arms I3, the entire latch bolt unit and retracting mechanism is amply supported and guided.

` The spindle C which is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 is a single rigid tubular member, at the cen- -ter of which is formed a cross-slot Ita and a rollback member I1. 'Ihe retractor bar extends through the slot Ita and as such secures the spindle against endwise movement when inserted; also it engages therollback member I1, and as such will be f orced rearwardly whenever the spindle is rotated by means of the knobs indicated at I8 and I9. By referring to Figs. 1, 3 and '7, it will be noted that thelatch bolt housing is provided with opposed transversesslots 28 and that a crossbar 2l extends through such slots and is supported thereby. This crossbar is in realty a spring saddle or support, having a width slightly greater than the diameter of the spring shown at 22. 'The center portion of the bar is raised to form a seat for the spring, and the ends of the bar are offset as shown at 23 to form shoulders to secure the bar against transverse movement when inserted in the latch bolt housing. This bar is releasable and removable by merely pressing it against the spring and then' pulling it out of one or another of the slots 20. It is similarly inserted through these slots, and when inserted is held in position by the shoulders 23 and by the pressure of the spring. This spring serves two functions: ilrst, that of normally maintaining the latch bolt D in extended or projected position, as it engages the inner end of said latch bolt; and second, that of actuating a clogging mechanism which limits inward movement oi the latch bolt.

The dogging mechanism comprising a plate with the shape shown in Fig. 12. The center portion of it has a spring seat to retain the spring 22; that is, the plate is interposed between the spring and the inner end of the latch bolt, and it is for this reason that a spring seat is formed thereon. One end of the plate is provided with a hook-like member 25 which is hooked over .one of the arms I3 of the retractor, a cross-slot 26 being formed in one of the arms for the reception of the hook. The opposite side of the plate is provided with a lug or dog 21, and this projects through a slot 28 formed in the outer end of the latch bolt housing. Normally, the plate having the hook and dog formed thereon will assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. In this position it limits inward movement of the latch bolt, as the length of the slot 28 is such that the latch bolt may only be retracted or moved to normal retracted position either by means of the rollback member or by pressure on the outer end oi the latch bolt. Under certain conditions, it is necessary to depress the latch bolt beyond its normal retracted position, for instance to permit insertion or removal of the spindle C and also to release or unlatch the latch member 1, as will hereinafter be described.

If the latch mechanism is to be assembled in a door, it is rst necessary to drill or bore two holes therein, one edgewise through the door, as

indicated at 35, to receive the latch bolt housing,

and one transversely through' the door as indicated at 36, to receive the housing containing the latch bolt actuating mechanism. After this is done, housing B is inserted in the opening 38, with the opening 22, in alignment with the bored holes 35` The latch bolt housing containing the latch bolt, the retractor, the clogging mechanism, the spring 22, the closure plate 9 and the latch 1, is then inserted through the opening 35, and as it is pushed inwardly it will pass through the openings 2-2 of the housing B, and its inward movement will finally be limited when the lugs 5 enter the slots 8 6 and bottom therein. At this point, openings 3-3 in the latch bolt housing will assume a central position within the housing B, and the latch 1 will at the same time swing inwardly and engage the housing B, thereby interlocking the two housings. It will next be necessary to insert the spindle C, but this can not be done until the dog 21 is withdrawn or swung out of the slot 28 so as to permit depression of the latch bolt and retractor beyond their normal retracted position. That is, the inner face I 4a of the retractor bar must be moved to a point where it clears the circuit shown at I4b in Fig. 3. As this circle represents`the exterior diameter of the spindle C, it is only when this circle or point is cleared that it is possible to insert the spindle. To withdraw the dog from the slot 28, an implement in the form of a pin or the like is inserted therethrough and pushed inwardly, through a hole 39 formed in the latch bolt guiding plate. When the pin is inserted therethrough and pushed inwardly, it will engage the plate carrying the dog, and will move it to the dotted line position shown at 28a in Fig. 3. When this position is assumed, it is possible to depress the latch bolt and to move it beyond its normal retracted position or beyond the point where it will clear the circle I4b, and thereby permit endwise insertion of the spindle. The spindle, when inserted, is pushed inwardly until the slot Ilia is aligned with the retractor bar I4, and when this alignment is attained the latch bolt may be released and the retractor bar I4 will then enter the slot and move into engagement with the rollback member I1. The escutcheon plates indicated at 4--4 may now be applied to opposite ends of the housing B and screwed up suillciently tight to engage the opposite faces of the door and thereby rigidly secure the door latch mechanism and the respective housings therein. Thereafter the knobs are applied, and when this is done the installation is completed.

If at any time it becomes necessary to remove the door latch mechanism as a whole from the door, the knobs will rst be removed, then the escutcheon plates 4 4, and then the spindle, the removal of l.the spindle being accomplished as previously described, by inserting a pin in the opening 39 so as to tilt the plate carrying the dog 28 into the position shown at 28a in Fig. 3,

such ltilting being possible as the hook-2l forms a hinge or pivot for the plate. When the dog is withdrawn,.the latch bolt and retractor are forced inwardlya suilicient distance to permit endwise removal of the spindle. Thereafter the latch bolt and retractor are forced inwardly still farther, and when that is done, the innermost face llc of the retractor plate will engage the arm la of the latchand thereby rock the latch about its pivot 8 in a direction to release the latch with relation to the housing B. When the latch is released, the latch bolt housing is pulled outwardly and as such may be completely removed.

The door latch mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is mounted in a wooden door. The construction, however, is not limited to installation in Wooden doors, as it may be mounted in metal doors having hollow stiles, such as shown in Fig. 6. The only advisable addition to the mechanism in an installation of that character is the provision of a spacing and reinforcing plate such as shown at l0 (see Figs. 6 and 16). This plate is merely slipped over the inner end of the latch bolt housing when it is inserted in the `hollow stile. The plate is thus supported bythe latch bolt housing, and as it has a width equal to the spacing between the inner faces of the hollow metal stile, it will prevent said faces from being pressed together or buckled when the escutcheon plates are screwed up tight on the opposite ends of the housing B. 'Ih'ev entire mechanism shown is extremely simple and substantial in construction. When the mechanism is installed in a door, the latch -1 secures the housing Aagainst removal. The housing B is obviously secured against endwise removal, as housing A extends through it. The escutcheon plates employed have a threaded connection with the outer ends of the housing B, and thus eliminate all screws, bolts or other fastening means, and at the same time permit the housing B to be properly centered transverse of the door, and to be rigidly secured against play, rattle or release. A one-piece spindle may be employed, as shownA in Figs. l and 8, or two separately and independently operated spindles may be employed, as shown in Figs. 2, l5 and 14. These spindles telescope with relation to each other,

and they are cross-slotted as shown at 50 and 5I. These cross-slots align yWhen the spindles are telescoped with relation to each other, and they also align with the retractor bar, so as to be secured by the same against endwise removal. Where independently actuated spindles are employed, .as shown in Fig. 2, the knobs may be permanently secured to the spindles, but where a single spindle is employed, as shown in Fig. 1, one knob may be permanently secured, as shown at B0, while the other knob must be releasable so as to permit endwise removal of the spindle when the mechanism as a whole is to be removed from the door. Where one of the knobs is removable, a spring-actuated latching mechanism such as shown at Sl may be employed.

While certain features of my invention have beenmore or less specifically described and illustrated, I nevertheless wish it understood that changes may be resorted to withinthe scope of the appended claims, and that the materials and iinish employed may be such as the manufacturer desires or the uses and conditions demand.

' Having thus described and illustrated 'my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lock of the character described a latch bolt housing and a housing enclosing a latch bolt actuating mechanism. a resiliently mounted member interlocking the housings, and means actuated by a latch bolt in the latch vbolt housing for releasing the interlocking member.

2. In a lock of the character described a latch bolt housing, a latch bolt mounted therein, a

latch boit actuating mechanism, a housing therefor, means for interlocking the-two housings, and means actuated by depression oi the latch bolt beyondits normal retracted position for releasing the interlocking means.

3. In a lock of the character described a latc bolt housing and a housing enclosing a latch bolt actuating mechanism, said housings being disposed at right angles to each other and one extending..through the other, and a yieldable member carried by the latch bolt housing, said yieldable member automatically interlocking the housings when they are assembled. a

4. In a lockbf the character described a latch bolt housing and a housing enclosing a latch bolt actuating mechanism, said housings being disposed at right angles to each other and one extending through the other, a yieldable member carried by the latch bolt housing, said yieldable member automatically interlocking the housings when they are assembled, and. a sliding element carried by the latch bolt housing and engageable with the yielding member to release the interlock.

5. In a lock of the character described a latch bolt housing and Aa housing enclosing alatch bolt actuating mechanism, said housings being disposed at right angles to each other and one extending through the other, a yieldable member carried by the latch bolt housing, said yieldable member automatically interlocking the h ousings when they are assembled, a latch bolt ,in the latch bolt housing, and means actuated by depression of the latch bolt beyond its normal depressed 4 position for releasing the yieldable interlocking member.

6. In a lock ot the character described a latch bolt housing and a housing enclosing a latch bolt actuating mechanism, said housings being disposed at right angles to each other and one extending through the other, a yieldable member carried by the latch bolt housing, said yieldable member automatically interlocking the housings when they are assembled, a latch bolt in the latch bolt housing, means limiting depression on -the latch bolt beyond a normal retracted position, means for releasing said limiting means to permit depression of the latch bolt beyond its normal retracted position, and means actuated by the latch bolt when depressed beyond its normal retracted position for releasing the vyieldable interlocking member.

7. A door latchmechanism comprising a tubular latch bolt housing, a second tubular housing through which the latch bolt housing extends, said latch bolt housing having a pair of opposed slots formed in its inner end, and a pair of lugs on the second housing entering said slots and securing the latch bolt housing against rotation and against endwise movement in one 'direction with relation to the second named housing.

8. A door latch mechanism comprising a tubular latch bolt housing, a second tubular. housing through which the latch bolt housing extends, said latch bolt housing having a pair of opposed slots formed in its inner end, a pair of lugs on the second housing entering said slots and securing the latch bolt housing against rotation and against endwise movement in one direction with relation to the second named housing, and other means securing the latch bolt housing against endwise` movement in the other direction with relation to the second named housing.

9. A door latch mechanism comprising a tubular latch bolt housing, a second tubular housing through which the latch bolt housing extends. said latch bolt' housing having a pair of opposed slots formed in its inner end, .a pair of lugs on the second housing entering said slots and securing the latch bolt housing against rotation and against endwise movement in one direction with relation to the second named housing, other means securing the latch bolt housing against endwise movement in the other direction with relation to the second named housing, a second pair of opposed slots formed in the latch bolt housing, and a retractor bar slidably mounted in the latch bolt housing and guided by said slots.

10. In a door latch mechanism of the character described, a latch bolt housing, a latch bolt slidably mounted therein, a dog movable in unison with the latch bolt and limiting the movement of the latch bolt to a normal retracted position, said dog being depressible to render the dog inoperative so as to permit movement of the latch bolt beyond normal depressed position, and a common spring for projecting the latch bolt and for normally maintaining the dog in operative position.

11. In a door latch mechanism of the .character described a latch bolt housing, a retractor and connected latch bolt slidably mounted in the housing, a plate pivoted on the retractor, a dog on the plate opposite the pivoted point, said dog normally projecting through a slot formed in the latch bolt housing and limiting sliding movement of the retractor and latch bolt to a normal retracted position, said plate adapted to be swung about its pivot to wihdraw the dog from the slot so as to permit movement if the retractor and latch bolt beyond normal retracted position, and a common spring for maintaining the dog in normal projected position and for projecting the latch bolt.

WALTER. R. SCHLAGE.

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