US2181393A

US2181393A - Automatic door lock

Info

Publication number: US2181393A
Application number: US226085A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L Crooks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-08-22
Filing date: 1938-08-22
Publication date: 1939-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 1956-11-28

Description

' Nov. 28, 1939. c CROOKS 2,181,393

AUTOMATIC noon LOCK Filed Aug. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 III i llll illllllllllllllln INVENTOR.

0944/5156 L; Ceca/rs Y 2 a g ATTORNEY.

Nov; 28, 1939.

C L. CROOKS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK Filed Aug. 22, 1938 iimg MA E I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY ATTORNEY;

Nov. 28, 1939. CROQKS v 7 2.181393 AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK Filed Aug. 22, less s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOK CHARLES A. CHOU/f5.

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 Charles L. Crooks, Pueblo, 0010.

Application August 22, 1938, Serial No. 226,085..

This invention relates to a locking latch more 11 Claims. (Cl. 292-45) the improved latch mechanism is contained is indicated at IL The latch may be operated from particularly designed for use upon automobile and other vehicular doors.

1 The principal object of the invention is to provlde a single and highly efficient lock which will automatically latch itself when the door is closed in such a way that it cannot possibly be opened by an unauthorized party; which when closed will be absolutely secure against rattling or vibration; and which can be locked by a single turn of the inside handle.

' Other objects and advantages residein the detail construction of the invention, which is de-.

signed for simplicity, economy, and efliciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view illustrating the improved lock in position in a typical automobile door.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the latch proper. Fig. 3 is an inside face view of the latch. Fig. 4 is a vertical section therethrough, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on the line 55,

Fig. 4.

in the releasing position.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line'88,

Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the .line 9-4:.

Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are vertical sections taken on the lines ||l-|ll and respectively, Fig. 6. Fig. 12 is a detail section through the inside handle mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a detail section through handle mechanism taken on the line |3 |3, Fig.

Fig.14 is a detail view of spring housing.

the inside the inside handle Fig. 15 is a section through the spring'housing taken on the line |5|5, Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the locking'block.

- In Fig. l a typical automobile door is indicated at H! with its frame at H.

The casing in which cated at Fig. 3 at l3. operated from an inside handle l4.

- an external door handle of any. desired type which may contain a key actuated look if desired. The shank of such an external door handle is indi-. 5

The latch may also be The striker plate of the latch, 'ndicated at 15,

' is attached to the frame I in the usual manner.

This plate carries a spear-shaped keeper raised. 10

embossed orotherwise projected outwardly on its surface. Thesides of the keeper are notched as shown at 58 and its point is directed toward the outside of the automobile.

Two similar, oppositely-positioned L-shaped 15 locking bolts H are pivoted on pivots |8 within the housing I2 in a position to be engaged by the keeper 16, the housing being cut away at this point to allow entrance of the keeper. The bolts ll terminate in over-lapped rearward extremities 20 4 llland'are constantly urged to the closed position at their forwardv extremities :by 'means of compression springs 20.

A slide plate 2| is slidably mounted against one face of the casing. .The'slid'e plate 2| carries a pointed, wedging boss 22 positioned between'the two bolts I! so that as it slides inwardlygit .will contact the rear extremities I9 thereof to force the forward extremities together. ;The plate 2| is bifurcated at its inner edge to fit around a sliding, actuating member 23. The actuating member 23 contacts the rear extremities|9 of the bolts l1 and, when forced against these rearward extremities, causes them .to swing over each other to separate the forward extremities, as shown in Fig. '7." W

The actuating member 23 is moved by a cross lever 24-which is secured on a latch shaft 25. The sliding plate 2| is prevented from being moved until the cross lever is actuated by means of a latch 40 lever 26, one extremity of which carries a flange 2! which over-hangs the outer end of one of the guide members 22 and which is swung by means of a spring "28 into the path of the plate 2|to prevent the latter from moving. The lever 26 is notched, as shown at 29, to

receive the extremity of a lifting tongue 30 which is formed on the cross lever 24. In the locked position of Fig. 6, the tongue rests in thenotch.

The first movement of the shaft 25 and the lever 24, however, causes this tongue to swing forwardly and lift the flanged extremity of the locking lever 25 out of the path of movement of the plate 2| so that continued movement of the lever 24 may force the actuating plate 23loutwardly rto separate the bolts IT, as shown in Fig. '7. The lever 24 is returned to its original position by means of a suitable spring 3|. The sliding plate 2| is retained in the projected position by means of a ball detent 32 which is actuated by means of a spring 33 against the side of the plate 2| where a receiving notch 34 is provided.

The shaft 25 may be rotated in any desired manner depending upon the particular installation of the latch. As illustrated, a two-point cam 35 is secured on the shaft 25 and ahandle shaft 36 carrying the outside door member is rotatably mounted across the cam 35. The shaft 36 carries a fixed first sleeve 31 from which a first cam actuating lever 38 projects so that as the outer handle is turned, the actuating lever will be swung against the cam 35 to rotate the shaft 25 and actuate the bolts IT.

The shaft 36 also carries a loose sleeve 39 from 20 which a second cam actuating lever 40 projects.

This sleeve is rotated from the inner door handle I4 and causes the second actuating lever 40 to contact the opposite extremity of the cam 35 to also actuate the'bolts II. The sleeve 39 is actuated from the inner handle I4. Projecting from the latter sleeve is an L-shaped arm 4| having a slotted hole 42 for receiving a screw 43 which is threaded into a lockingblock 44. The locking block 44 is carried upon a locking plunger 45 which projects rigidly from the block through a guide tube 46 into the latch casing l2. The looking plunger 45 is so positioned, as shown in Fig. 1, that when projected into the casing, it will be in the path of movement of the rear extremities IQ of the bolts Hand also in the path of movement of the plate 2| so that none of these parts can be moved until the locking plunger 45 is withdrawn by actuation of the inside handle I 4 to move the lockingblock '44 to :the left as shown in Fig. 2. During the locking movement of the block 44, the screw 43 travels in the slotted hole 42.

The block 44 is connected by means of connecting bar 4'! to a fan-shaped'lever 4B mounted on anxinnenhandle shaft 49 which carries the inner handle l4. A detentspring i! constantly urges a ball detent 5| against the lever 48, the latter being provided with two

ball receiving depressions

52 and 53. The connecting bar 41 is constantly urged toward the locked position by means of a spring 54 which forces a plunger 55 against a projection 56 on the car 4?. The spring and plunger mechanism is contained in a housing 51 mounted alongside of the bar 41.

Operation When the door is open, the latch mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 6 with the exception that the plate 2! is in the forward position of Fig. '7 where it is held by the detent 32. As the door swings shut, the points of the keeper l6 enter :between the bolts wedging them outwardly. It then strikes the wedge boss 22 forcing the plate 2| inwardly. This causes the point of the wedge boss to force the hooked extremities of the bolts apart :so as to swing the other extremities into the notches 58 of the keeper 26, as shown in Fig. 6. The locking lever 27 then snaps in front of the plate 2| and locks the bolts "IT. The bolts can be released andopened by simply turning the outer handle shaft 36 which rotates the shaft 25 to release the lever 26 and move the bolts to the position of Fig. '7. It can be similarly actuated by moving the inner handle l4 :topull .the connecting rod 41 away from the latch and swing the lever 40 against the cam 35.

The latch may be locked against opening by swinging the inside handle to the left or lock position which causes the connecting bar 47 to push the locking block 44 toward the casing l2 so that its locking plunger 45 will enter the casing to the locking position of Fig. 6.

We, therefore, have three positions of the inside handle lever l iz straight downward for the inactive or close position; to the right to open the door; and to the left to lock the door.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped ex tremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward exrtremities thereof; and means for causing said closing member to release said bolts as said opening member opens them.

2. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a boltclosing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities toward each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; means for locking" said closing member in the closed position; and means for releasing said locking means prior to the operation of said closing means.

3. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted" to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member po-= sitioned for movement between said bolts to con tact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; a stop member; and means for projecting said stop member into the .path of movement of said bolts to prevent the latter from releasing said keeper until desired.

4, In a door latch mechanism of the type hav ing a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts With said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts extremities toward each other; and a bolt opening member positioned, beyond the overlapped I extremities so that it'may contact and force the 1 latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof, said closing member being positioned in the path of said opening member so 10- that as the latter moves to the opening position it will force the closing member away from said overlapped extremities.

5. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an innerextremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter. apart so as to force theforward extremities towards eachother; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate theforward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said openin means.

6. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said opening means; a locking lever positioned to swing into the path of movement of said opening means to prevent the latter from moving to the opening position; and releasing means actuated by said actuating lever for swinging said locking lever from the path of said opening means before the latter actuates said bolts.

7. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; a stop member; means for projecting said stop member into a position to prevent said opening member from operating; and means for actuating said opening member from the withdrawing movement of said stop member.

8. In a door latchmechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with I actuate said opening means; a cam mounted on nected with said second cam actuating lever so said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities there- 1;

of to force the latter apart so as to force the .forward extremities towards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate theoi forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said opening means; and means for rotating said shaft from both sides of said door.

9. In a door latch mechanism of the type hav- :1

ing a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward gg force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said opening means; a cam mounted on said shaft; a handle shaft rotatable mounted across said cam; a cam actuating lever carried by said handle shaft, so that as the handle shaft is rotated the lever will contact said cam and rotate the said actuating shaft; a handle on said handle shaft, said handle being positioned on one side of said door; a-second cam actuating lever loosely mounted on said handle shaft; a handle on the other side of said door operatively connected with said second cam actuating lever so that as the second handle is turned, the actuating shaft will be rotated.

10. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to said shaft; a handle shaft rotatable mounted across said cam; a cam actuating lever carried by said handle shaft, so that as the handle shaft is rotated the lever will contact said cam and rotate the said actuating shaft; a handle onsaid handle shaft, said handle being positioned on one side of said door; a second cam actuating lever loosely mounted on said handle shaft; a handle on the other side of said door operatively conwill be in the path of movement of the said rear extremities of said hooked end bolts; and means connected to the second handle only for moving said plunger into the locking position.

11. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned for movement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; and a bolt opening m mber positioned beyond the overlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the latter together so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said opening means; a cam mounted on said shaft; a handle shaft rotatable mounted handle shaft, said handle being positioned on one'* side of said door; a second cam actuating lever loosely mounted on said handle shaft; a handle on the other side of said door operatively connected with said second cam actuating lever so that as the second handle is turned, the actuating shaft will be rotated; a locking block; a locking plunger carried by said block, said plunger positioned so that when projected into the casing it will be in the path of movement of the said rear extremities of said hooked end bolts; means connected to the second handle only for moving said plunger into the locking position; and means for removing said plunger from the locking position prior to the opening of the lock.

CHARLES L. CROOKS.