US2287978A

US2287978A - Striker plate

Info

Publication number: US2287978A
Authority: US
Inventors: Smet Edgard C De
Original assignee: Reconstruction Finance Corp
Current assignee: Reconstruction Finance Corp
Priority date: 1940-06-12
Filing date: 1940-06-12
Publication date: 1942-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1959-06-30

Description

June 30,1942. E, DE SME T'; 2,287,978.

' STRIKER PLATE Filed June 12 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

June 30, 1942. E E s E 2,287,978

STRIKER PLATE Filed'June 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 3%, 1942 STRIKER PLATE Edgard C. De Smet, Toledo, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of the United States Application June 12, 1940, Serial No. 340,137

7 Ciaims.

This invention relates to improvements in striker plates for door latches and more particularly to a stamped striker plate with a pivoted retainer especially adapted for retaining vehicle doors in closed position.

The invention comprehends the provision of a striker plate means which is simple and positive in its operation, yet one which permits the door to be easily closed Without the use of excessive force.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a striker plate made of metal stampings which is simple in construction, inexpensivea to manufacture and stronger and more durable than one made from die cast metal or bar stock.

A further object of the invention is to provide a striker plate having a soft spring so as to offer very little resistance to the door closing operation, as the latch bolt is not retracted by engagement with the striker plate.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relates to the arrangement, operation and functioning of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combination of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure l is a horizontal sectional view of a vehicle door in its closed position showing the latch bolt interengaged with the final step of the striker plate;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the retainer partially depressed with the latch bolt interengaged with the safety catch;

Figure 3 is an elevational view showing the striker plate assembled to a door pillar;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-1; in Figure 3 showing a side View of the striker plate assembled to the door pillar;

Figures 5 and 6 are details of the striker plate housing;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of a spring forming a part of the invention;

Figure 9 is an elevational view showing a modified form of my invention assembled to the door pillar;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l0l0 in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to-Figure 10 showing the retainer depressed with the latchbolt about to engage the final step of the striker plate;

Figure 12 is a bottom view of the striker plate showing the retainer locked to the housing;

Figure 13 is an isometric view of a spring forming a part of the modified form of my invention.

While I have illustrated the arrangement of my invention as particularly adapted for use with vehicle doors, it is to be understood that I contemplate the utilization of the invention with any closure structure with which it may be found to have utility.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the Vehicle door It] is made of sheet metal and is provided with the customary door lock 1! and latch bolt l2. The door I0 is arranged for pivotal movement about hinges (not shown). When the door is in its closed position it matches with or engages the door pillar 63 also made of sheet metal. The stationary pillar l3, of the vehicle is recessed at M. to accommodate the striker plate 15. The striker plate comprises two main parts, the housing [6, and a retainer ll, which are made of metal stampings.

The base of the housing H3 is provided with holes H? to receive bolts i9 which screw into nut 20 to secure the housing to the door pillar I3. It will be noted that the door pillar is provided with slots 2| to accommodate bolts I9 to allow for adjustment of the entire striker plate assembly [5 inwardly or outwardly along the face of the door pillar. A thin non-metallic washer 20 is positioned between the striker'plate and door pillar to cause a gripping action when the bolts iii are tightened down. The forward end of the housing 16 is provided with a turned in lip 22 which is concave on the inside. The

retainer I l is formed from a one piece metal" stamping as shown particularly in Figures 1 and 2. At the forward end of the retainer the metal is folded back upon itself, forming a base portion 23 of the retainer which cooperates with the concave surface of the lip 22 to form a hinged connection between the retainer 11 and housing I6. It will be noted that apertures H are provided in the retainer and the folded back metal 24 is cut away to clear the bolt heads l9 as illustrated in Figure 3. The end portion of the folded back metal 24 projects outwardly forming a safety catch abutment 25 to engage. the latch bolt [2. At the rear edge of the retainer IT a turned back lip or keeper 26 is provided which is the final step of the retainer to latch the door.

With particular reference to Figures 3 and 4, the retainer I! is provided with flanges 21. These flanges are notched out at 28 to accommodate ears 29 struck out from the housing H5. The ears 29 are provided with lips 30 turned in to cooperate with the flanges 21 when the retainer I1 is in its normal or out position and thereby limiting the outward swing of the retainer. It will be noted that after the retainer I1 is assembled in the housing 16 the parts are securely locked together in hinged relation by the ears 29. The retainer is held in its normal position by spring 3| shown in detail in Figure 8 which is arranged between the retainer I! and the housing IS. The base 23 of the retainer is cut back on each side so that the coil portions 32 of spring 3! can be positioned within the turned in lip 22 of the housing, and when the parts are assembled the spring 3| is securely held in place.

The operation of the above arrangement of my invention is as follows:

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the lines AA show the path through which the end of the latch bolt swings. In the closing of the door the latch bolt 12 engages the inclined surface of the retainer forcing it back as the spring 3| is weaker than the spring (not shown) which holds the latch bolt in its extended position. In Figure 2 the latch bolt is shown interengaged with the safety catch 25 and the retainer I1 is depressed against spring 3|. With further closing movement of the door the retainer is further dcpressed until the latch bolt I2 had passed beyond the innermost face or keeper 26 Then the retainer under the action of its spring will snap back to its normal position securely holding the latch bolt 12 in place which is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figures 9 through 13 inclusive, illustrate a modified form of my invention wherein there is illustrated a striker plate having a stamped metal housing adapted to be secured to a door pillar. The inner end of the housing is provided with a slot 33 to receive the turned back end portion or keeper 2B of the retainer 34. The hinged connection between the housing and retainer is identical with the other form of my invention, hereinbefore described. The safety catch is also formed in the same manner, wherein the metal is folded back upon itself and the end of the metal projects outwardly forming the safety catch abutment to engage the latch bolt l2. At the inner end of the retainer, the metal is turned back to provide an abutment or keeper 26 for the latch bolt when the door is in its closed position. This metal extends through a slot 33 in the housing, which is large enough to allow free movement of the retainer. The door pillar I3 is also provided with an opening 35 to allow the retainer to swing during the closing operation of the door.

The retainer is held in its normal position by spring 36 arranged between the housing 31 and the retainer 34. An opening 38 is provided in the retainer to accommodate the coil portion 36' of the spring, and when the parts are assembled, the spring is held in place. In order to limit the outward swing of the retainer, the end portion projecting through the slot 33, is provided with ears 39 bent in so as toengage the bottom face of the housing when the retainer is in its normal position as illustrated in Figures and 12. It will be noted that ears 40 are struck up at the forward end of the housing to act as a guide preventing lateral movement of the retainer. In this form of my invention the entire striker plate assembly can be secured to a vehicle door in the same manner as previousl described. It will be observed that my invention can be readily applied to a door pillar without making any material changes therein or substantial departure from standard practice.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention, modification and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and I desire therefore that the invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims,

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a striker plate comprising a one piece yieldable retainer; a housing having a substantially flat base portion; means for securing the housing to a door pillar; said housing provided with a turned in lip to cooperate with said retainer to provide a hinged connection; means associated with said housing including a pair of ears to limit the outward swing of said retainer; and spring means for normally projecting the retainer.

2. The combination with a striker plate comprising a housing; means for securing the housing to a door pillar; a one piece retainer mounted within said housing; said retainer having a folded back end portion to provide a safety catch abutment; means associated with said housing including a pair of ears for locking the retainer in hinged relation with said housing; and expansive spring means for normally projecting the retainer.

3. The combination with a door lock striker plate comprising a one piece stamped metal retainer having a folded back end portion to provide a safety catch abutment; a keeper on the inner end of the retainer adapted to cooperate with a latch bolt; a stamped metal housing; means for securing said housing to a supporting structure; said housing having a turned in lip which cooperates with the retainer to provide a hinged connection between the housing and the retainer; means associated with said housing including a pair of ears for locking the retainer in hinged relation with said housing; and spring means positioned between said housing and retainer for normally projecting the retainer.

4. Th combination with a striker plate comprising a one piece stamped metal retainer having a folded back end portion to provide a safety catch abutment; a stamped metal housing having a substantially flat base portion; means for securing said base portion to a door pillar; said housing having a turned in lip at its forward end which cooperates with said retainer to provide a hinged connection; a pair of cars projecting away from said housing to limit the outward movement of the retainer; and spring means positioned between the housing and said retainer for normally projecting the retainer.

5. The combination with a door lock striker plate comprising a stamped metal housing having a substantially flat base portion; means for securing the housing-to a door pillar; a one piece stamped metal retainer pivotly mounted within said housing; said retainer having a folded back end portion to provide a safety catch abutment; a keeper at the inner end of said retainer adapted to engage a latch bolt; means for locking the keeper in hinged relation with said'base portion and spring means positioned within the housing for normally projecting the retainer.

6. The combination with a door lock striker plate comprising a stamped metal housing; means for securing the housing to a door pillar; a one piece stamped metal retainer pivotly mounted within said housing adapted to engage a latch bolt; said retainer having a folded back end portion to provide a safety catch abutment; a keeper on the inner end of said retainer; means associated with said keeper including a pair of ars for locking the retainer in hinged relation with said housing; and spring means positioned within said housing for normally projecting the retainer.

7. A striker plate adapted for interengagement with a latch bolt comprising a stamped metal housing having a substantially flat base portion; means for securing the housing to a door pillar; a one piece stamped metal retainer having a folded back end portion to provide safety catch abutment; said retainer pivotly mounted within said housing; an opening in said base portion; a keeper on the other end of said retainer adapted to swing through said opening; means on said keeper to limit the outward movement of said retainer; and spring means for normally projecting the retainer.

EDGARD C. DE SMET.