US2412779A - Automatic lock - Google Patents

Description

DmV 17, 1946.

A. J. LEONARD AUTOMATIC LOCK Filed Nov. so, i945 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTQENEY Dec. 17, 1946. A. J. LEONARD AUTOMATIC LOCK Filed Nov. 30. 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q ww mw@ m l1 TTOBNEY.

A. J. LEONARD AUTOMATIC LOCK Filed Nov. 30, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR. lLaferJlfo/vm e BY Y 'a3 sgs@ T ORNE Y Patented Dec. 17, 1946 AUTOMATIC LOCK Albert J. Leonard, Los Angeles, Calif. Application November 30, 1945, Serial No. 631,943l

`18 Claims.

Thisjnvention relates generally to the art of locks and latches, and more particularly to locks of the type embodying a handle movable from an operating position wherein it is accessible for manipulation to open the closure with which it is associated, to a non-operating position wherein'the handle may be substantially flush with theV exterior surface of the closure.

An'V object of this invention is to provide a lock of the above described character, which, in association with the door of an automobile, for example, is automatically operable in response to closing of the door,to move the outside door handle from its operating position wherein it projects from the door for manipulation, to a non-operating position wherein the handle will be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the door, thus adding to the safety and security of the vehicle by preventing unauthorized persons from tampering with the handle and possibly breaking off same in an effort to force the lock; adding to the safety of operation of the vehicle by eliminating dangerous projecting handles which have been the cause of many accidents; and enhancing the streamlined appearance of the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatically operable locking mechanism as above set forth, whose handle may be manually released from its non-operating position and restored to its operating position either in response to a manual operation of an actuator on the outside of the door, when the door is unlocked, or by manipulation of a handle on the inside of the door.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lock whose compact and ingenious construction enables it to be installed in doors of the most modern automobiles projected for future manufacture, the door frames of which are intended to be extremely narrow to provide vertically sliding windows of maximum width for in-A creased visibility between the hinge and look Stiles of the door, all while retaining the essential qualities of durability, freedom from maintenance, and simplicity of installation by standard manufacturing practice.

With these and other objects'in view, the invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings,

f Figure 1 is a view partlyin side elevation and partly in section, of an automobile door and jarnb, with one form of automatic locking mechanism embodying this invention installed therein;

Figure 2 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, and showing the door fully closed;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing the door partly open;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 1, and showing the outside handle in operating position, and the other working parts in the positions they occupy when the door is open;

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudina1 sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are detail sectional views taken on the lines 6-6 and 'l-l of Figure 5, respectively;

Figure 8 is a fragmentaryyertical sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 5, and showing the outside handle moved to non-operating position;

Figure 9 is a' view similar to Figure 8 and showing the iinal position of the parts in the fully closed position of the door, and following movement of the outside handle to non-operating position; and

.Figure 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan sectional view taken on the line Illlll of Figure 9.

Referring speciiically to the drawings, the invention in its illustrated embodiment is: shown installed in a hollow sheet metal doorD of the type employed on the most modern pleasure automobile bodies, which is suitably hinged along one vertical edge at H to the jamb J for opening and closing movements and for co-action of its bolt B with a keeper K on the jamb, it being understood that the usual vertically sliding window indicated at W inbreken lines in Figures 2 and 3 is of increased width in accordance with the relatively narrow lock and hinge stiles of the door frame, all to the end of providing maximum window area for increased visibility from the i interior of the body.

For the purpose of this invention the bolt B has a pin-and-slot mounting lli on a support in the form of a U-shaped sheet metal frame H secured in the door D at the lock stile thereof, the bolt projecting through registering openings in the frame l and the door for co-action with the connection l0 in mounting the bolt for reciprocating movement to engage and dlsengage the keeper K when the door is closed. A flat coil spring l2 is secured at one end to the bolt B as indicated at I3, and bears at; its other end` against a lug I4 on one end of an S-shaped lever i5 mountedv intermediate its ends for pivotal movement about a fixed axis on the frame Ii, formed by a pin E6, all in Such manner that the spring I2 is adapted to urge the bolt to its projected or latching position shown in the drawings, as will be later fully apparent.

An inside handle I is fixed to a shaft I1 mounted in an L-shaped bracket I8 secured to the door D at the hingel stile thereof,` andf' xedto. the:y

shaft is an arm i9 having a pin 2B"working in a slot 2i in one end of the link 22, the other end of which has a slot 23 in which works a pin'l 2li on the bolt B as clearly shown in Figure- 1. A spring 25 normally urges the arm I3 to the position shown in this iigure, for movement of the bolt B by the handle I to-thev retracted or non-latching position of the bolt.

An operating member or outside bar handleO of streamline contour has iixed thereto by screws 35, a hollow shaft SI which projects through an opening 32 in a handle-receiving recess 33- formed in the outside wall 34 of the door D, the shaftV being supported by a bearingj 35. fixed tothe frame, l Iby screws Sii. ByV means of' the' bearing 35, the shaft 3! is mounted for rotational and axial movement, and isnormally urged axially by a coil spring 31 to itsone vextreme or operating position shown in Figures 3 andii, wherein the handle projects from the recess? 33; s0 as'to be accessible for manipulation.

The coil spring 31 ismounted on a stem litrotatably'mounted at. one end in the frame: I I; and projecting into the shaft 3'I to` which it is operatively connected by a diametric pin 4I' in the shaft passing through a longitudinal slot 4-2' in the stem for co-action therewith in providing a rotatable driving connection between the handle and stem, yet permitting axial movement ofthe handle independently of the stem from theoperating position of the handle shown in. Figure" 3, to the non-operating position of the handle shown Figure-.2,` in whichlatter position the' handle isdisposedin the recess 33 so as' to be substa'n'f tially iiush with the exterior surface ofthe out# side doorwall 34..

Fixed to the stem 59 by a; pin 53. is-v anarm M adapted'toenga'geione side of a lug 45'.on the other end ,oi the lever. I5. `Pivoted at 4,5 onxthe lever I5 isv a connector lever 41' having a. toe 48 y seating in axrecessJiS inthe bolt. B. Turning movementV of 'the handle O ina clockwise direc,- tion as viewedv inFigure 1 will cause the arm 4,4' to rock` the lever' l5 about the pinA I5. and' push upon. the connector lever 41' through its pivot lit, for co-action of its toe 38 with the recess149 in moving the; boltV B to its retracted or' non,- latching position against the action ofthe spring I2. Thus, will be evidentthat the bolt can be retracted by either the inside handle 'Il or out-Y side handle O independently of'each other.

Adjacent the opening 32, thek outsidezwall` 3A'.

is providedwith an opening receiving' a cylindrical shell 53 having an escutcheon flange' 5I and fitting into a cup-shaped'cylindrical casing e 521ixed to the frame II. Axially movable'in the shell 5U is a manual actuator 53V in the form of a ring. having longitudinal slots 511 receiving' lugs 55' on. a cylindrical support' 55 in` which. isf xed the body of.' a-v cylinder lock 511'.

Screws 58 pass through thecasing 52 Vand shellv 55, andare threaded into the lugs 55 to rigidlysecure the support' 5 and hence the lock body to the Casing. A stop plate 53a has aforce fitin the actuator 53 andisengaged by; aspring 59 which normally urges the actuator axially to the extreme position shown in the drawings and wherein the actuator projects a short distance from the wall 34 for movement inwardly against the action of the spring, by pressure ofthe fingers exerted against the actuator. The stop plate 53a has an eccentric slot @il which, in the unlocked position oi' the lock 51, is alined with the locking. lug 3l on the rotary barrel of the lock 51, so'asto permitthe actuator to be pushed inwardly from its outer extreme position shown in the drawings, to an inner extreme position wherein the lug ti has been received in the slot 30. However, in the locked position of the look 51, the locking lug @I is rotated out of alinement with the slot G3, so that the lug 5I will co-act with thel plate 53a to-lock the actuator in its outer extreme position, l

Mounted intermediate their ends on a pin projecting from the frame I I are two crossed and pivoted lockingmernbers or dogs 56 and 55a urged relatively in opposite a spring t1, to yieldingly maintain the dogs at onef end in engagement with cams 63- (Figure 7) inthe shape of Voppositely extending4 oblique surfaces projecting into aslot fiormedin--the actuator 53, the dogs projecting ireelythrough registeringfslots in the casingV iii!V and shell 55.

At theirxothery ends, the dogs @Gand 53a are curved towards each other and pass freely through slots 15: in the bearing 35, and are adapted to ride on the peripherym` the shaft 3I during axial movement of the latter in moving the handle O from its operating. position shown in rliigures 2 and 4, to its non-operating position shown in Figure 8, and to snap intoV an annular. groove 1I: in the shaft 3i under the action of the? spring 31, when the handle reaches its' nonoperatingl position. Y

The inner end of the shaftBI is provided with diametrically opposedradial shoulders 13 adapted to bek engaged by the spaced parallel arms 14' of ashifting memberor yoke 15, the hub 15ofwhich is'v freely mountedona pin 11 supportedV in agenerally `U,shaped bracket 18 iixedto the frames! I; A spring 19 connected to a dependingportion 8B of. the bracket 18. and to ani extension SI of the shifting member 15" urges thelatter to the ex-v treme positionshownin Figures 4 and' 9,whereinone. of theV arms; 14 of the member abats/*a stop 82 on the Abracket1i$ (Figure 9):

Projecting from the hub 15Y oi the member 15 is a latching arm 83 having a notch 8.5 in which is adapted to seat the bill 85 of a connector or pawl S6 pivotally mounted intermediate its end's' on a. pin 81 spanning and supported bythe paralleli arms of a generally H-shaped member 88 also freely mounted on the pin 11 between the sides of the bracket 18 and the hub 16 of the shifting member 15. A suitable' spring 93 se,- cured: to thev cross arrnofV the member; 83; and. to, the other rounded end of the connector 85, urges the latter in a. direction for thev bill 85 to enterl the notch 84' in the latching arm 83, and for the rounded end QI to engagethe dwell and active portions SZ'and 93, respectively, of adisconnector inthe form of a cam iixedV to; the bracket 18, all for a purpose to be later fully'described,`

thedisconnector being designated generally by 95. Connected to. the pin S1 isone; part oi4 ag'two-Y part' universal link95, the other part` of which. is connectedto one arm of a bell crank'lever 8,3; pivotally mounted at S1 on the frame il.. The other: arm of the lever SG'has a.pinand.slot:con

nection 9'8 withione endof a;push.r.od Seicenstidirections about thepin by' tuting a door-controlled actuator, and reciprocably mounted in bearings on the frame The other end of the rod is mounted in the bracket I8 and projects through the frame of 'the door D, with the outer end of the rod having a head IDI. A spring |02 mounted on the rod between one of the bearings |00 and a shoulder |03 on the rod, urges the rod, and hence the lever 96, link 95, member 03 and the connector 36 carried thereby, to the extreme .position shown in Figures 3 and 4 wherein the head |0| projects from the hinge edge of the door D for engage-- ment with an abutment plate |04 in the jamb J of `the door in the operation of the invention which is as follows: i

Let it be assumed that the door D is open; that the outside handle O is in operating position; and that the lock 5? is unlocked as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, respectively. As the bill 85 of the connector 36 is seated in the notch 84 of the latching arm 85 in this position of the working parts, as shown in broken lines in Figure 4, closing movement of the door from the position shown in Figure 3 will cause the push rod 99 to strike the abutment plate |04 and be moved to the left as the door-closing movement progresses. This movement of the push rod will actuate the bell crank lever 95 in a direction for the latter to exert a pull upon the link 95 and cause thelatter to swing the member 88 and hence the pawl B6 carried thereby, from the position shown in Figure 4 towards the position shown in Figure 8.

As the connector 8B is in latching engagement with the arm 85, the shifting member 'l5 will be moved against the action of its spring 19 in a direction for its arms F4 to co-act with the shoulders 'I3 of the shaft 3| in moving the handle O axially and inwardly of the door D, so as to enter the recess 33 in the latter and be releasably retained therein by snapping of the dogs 66 and 66a into the annular groove 1| of the handle, during the iinal closing movement of the door, all as shown in Figure 8.

During this movement of the door, the concurrent movement of the connector 86 from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 8, will cause the rounded end 9| of the connector to ride idly on the dwell portion 32 of the cam 34. However, when the door is in proximity to f its fully closed position shown in Figure 2, the rounded end 9| of the connector strikes the active portion 93 of the cam, which swings the connector about the axis of its pivot pin 35 on the member 88 suciently for the bill 85 of the connector to clear the notch 84 of the latching arm 83 and thus free the latter from the connector, with the result that the spring restores the shifting member l5 to its original position, all as clearly shown in Figure 9.

Although theY operative connection between the door-controlled actuator 90 and the operating member O is now disrupted, the operating member remains latched inits non-operating position by the dogs 36 and 66a. To lock the door in its closed position, it is only necessary to turn the lock 57 to its locking position with the proper key, so as to rotate the locking lug 6| out of alinement with the slot 60 in the stop plate 530,. to lock the actuator 53 in its projected position against being manually pressed 'axially inward. The operating member O is inacessible for turning in the recess 33, and there is thus no exposed means which can be tampered with to open the door. l I

To open the door, the lock 51 is unlocked by the proper key to restore the alinement of the locking lug 6| with the slot 50 in the stop plate 53a, following which inward pressure is manually exerted axially upon the actuator 53 so as to cause the cams 68 to co-act with the end of the dogs 66 and 50a engagedby the cams, in swing ing the dogs oppositely about the axis of the pin E5 and against the action of the spring El, sufficiently for the dogs to clear the annular groove in the operating member O, thus rendering the spring 31 free to move the operating member axially outward and clear of the recess 33 to its projected and operating position shown in broken lines in Figure 2. Turning movement of the operating member can now be effected to retract the bolt `B clear of the keeper K.

The door can be opened from the inside even though locked by the lock. 5l, as it is only necessary to actuate the inside handle I to retract the bolt B. It will be manifest that the operating member O can be manually moved to non-operat ing position when the door is open, should this mode of operation be desired.

It will also be appreciated that the other doors of the vehicle can be equipped with the above described mechanism embodying this invention so as to eiect automatic movement of the outside handles of such doors to non-operating position in response to closing of the doors.

I claim:

1. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to 0perating position; means adapted to respond to closing movement of the closure to move theoperating member to non-operating position; and means for releasably retaining' the operating member in non-operating position.

2. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; means adapted to respond to closing movement of the closure to move the operating member to non-operating position; means for releasably retaining the operating member in non-operating position; and means for actuating said retaining means to release the operating member for movement by said urging means to operating position.

3. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; a closure-controlled actuator for the operating member; means operatively conf-y necting said actuator tothe operating memberV and adapted to respondv to actuation of said actuator -by closing movement of the closure, to move the operating member to non-operating position; means for disrupting said operative connection to the operating member when 'the closure is closed; means for releasably retaining the operating member in non-operating position; and manually operable means by which said retaining meanscan be. actuated-'to release the op- Y erating member for movement by'said urging means to operating position. 4. In`locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adaptedtomount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; means including an actuator adapted to co-act with a relatively fixed support in response to closing movement of the closure, to move the operating member to non-operating position when the closure is` closed; and means for releasably retaining the operating member in non-.operating position.

5. in locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; means including an actuator adapted to co-act with a relatively fixed support in response to closing movement of the closure, to move the operating member to non-operating position when the closure is closed; means for `re leasing the operating 'member from the last means when the operating member has been moved to non-operating position, so as to f-ree the operating member for movement to operating position by said urging means; means `for releasably retaining the operating member in non-operating position; and manually operable means for actuating said retaining means to release the operating member for movement yby said urging y means to operating position.

6. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to ymount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means including an operative connection to said operating member, by which the latter will be automatically moved to nonoperating position in response to movement of the closure to closed` position; and means for releasably retaining said member in non-operating position. Y

'7. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; rmeans including an operative con- Y nection to said operating member by which the latter will be automatically moved to non-operating position in response to movement of the closure to` closed position; means co-.acting With the last means to disrupt said operative connection to the operating member when the latter has been moved to non-operating position; and means for releasably retaining the operating member in non-operating position. l

8. In locking mechanism for a hingedly mounted closure having a bolt; an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement axially to occupy operating and noo-operating positions, and for rotation when in operating position to attuate the bolt; an `actuator Aadapted to be movabiy mounted on the ciosure for co-atlon With a relatively -iiXed support during closing movement of the closure; and means operatively connectingsaid actuator to said operating member, byV

which the latter will be moved 'from operating .f1.0 non-operating position in response to movenent of the .closure to closed position.

...n.199 :e mechanism for ahingedly mount-V ed lo'sure.. an operating member -ror the mocha,- nl... means adapted to mount said .member on the closure for movement to `occupy operating and non-oneratine positions; an actuator.; means operatively connecting .Said actuator to said op erating member; and means adapted to co-act with said actuator in response to closing movement of the closure, to move the operating member from operating to non-operating position.

10. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member having a shaft; means adapted tomountsaid member on the closure for rotation and for axial movement from operating to nonoperating position; means urging the member axially to operating position; a closure-controlled actuator; means adapted to mount said actuator onthe closure for movement; and means operatively connecting said actuator to said shaft, by which movement of the actuator to one position will move the operating member fromV operating to non-operating position.

1l.. In locking mechanism for closures, an oper-V ating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for rotation and for axial movement from operating to non-operating position; 'means urging the member axially to operating position; an actuator; means adapted Vto reciprocably mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with the jamb of the closure to be moved thereby to one extreme position in response to closing of the closure; and means operatively connecting said actuator and shaft, by which movement of the actuator to said one extreme position will move `the operating Amember from operating to non-operating position.

12. 1n locking mechanism for closures, an operating member having a shaft; means adapted lto mount said member on the closure for rotation and for axial movement from operating to nonoperating position; means urging the member axially to operating position; an actuator; means adapted to reciprocably mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with the jamb of thc closure to be moved thereby to one extreme position in response to closing of the closure; means operatively connecting said actuator and shaft,

, by which movement or" the actuator to said one extreme position Will move the operating member from operatingrto non-operating position; means co-acting with said shaft to releasably retain the operating member in non-operating position; means for disrupting said operative connection between said shaft and actuator when-the latter reaches said one extreme position; and a manually operable actuator operatively connected to said retaining means to releasesaid shaft for movement and restore the operating member to operatingV position under the action of said urging means.

13. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for rotation and for axial movement from operating to nonoperating position; means urging the member axially to operatingposition; an actuator; means adapted to reciprocably mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with the jamb of the closure to be moved thereby to one extreme position in response to closing of the closure; a. pivotally mounted shifting member normally urged in one direction to one extreme position; said shaft having means co-acting with said shifting member to be axially moved thereby durv ing movement of the shifting member in the other direction; and means operatively connecting said shifting member to said actuator, by which movement of the latter to said one eX- treme position, will move Ythe shifting member in said other direction to co-act with said shaft Y in moving the operating member from operating to non-operating position.

14. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for rotation and for axial movement from operating to nonoperating position; means urging the member axially to operating position; an actuator; means adapted to reciproeably mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with the jamb of the closure to be moved thereby to one extreme position; said shaft having means co-acting with said shifting member to be axially moved thereby during movement of the shifting memb r in the other direction; means operatively connecting said shifting member to said actuator, by which movement of the latter to said one extreme position, will move the shifting member in said other direction to co-act with said shaft in moving the operating member from operating to non-operating position; said last means including disconnecting mechanism operable when the operating member reaches non-operating position, to di."- rupt the operative connection between the actuator and shifting member so as to permit the latter to return to its urged position; and for releasably retaining the operating member in non-operating position when said operative connection is disrupted.

15. In locking mechanism for closures, an 'operating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; an actuator; means adapted to mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with a relatively fixed support to be moved thereby to one position in response to closing of the closure; a pivotally mounted shifting member having a latching arm; means urging the shifting member rotatably to one extreme position; a connector; means movably mounting said connector for latching engagement with said arm and for movement to co-act with said arm in rotating the shifting member against its urging means; and means operatively connecting said last means to said actuator'` for movement by the latter to effect the aforesaid movement of said operating member to a position `.vherein the operating member will occupy non-operating position.

16. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating position-s; means urging said member to operating position; an actuator; means adapted to mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with a relatively fixed support to be moved thereby to one position in response to closing of the closure; a pivotally mounted shifting member having a latching arm; means urging the shifting member rotatably to one extreme position; a connector; means movably mounting said connector for latching engagement with said arm and for movement to co-act with said arm in rotating the shifting member against its urging means; means operatively connecting said last means to said actuator for movement by the latter to eiect the aforesaid movement of said operating member to a position wherein the operating member Will occupy non-operating position; means co-acting with said connector to move the latter out of latching engagement with the latching arm when the operating member has been moved to non-operating position, so as to permit the shifting member to return to its urged position; and means co-acting With said shaft to releasably retain the operating member in non-operating position.

l'7. In locking mechanism for closures,v`a`n` operating member having a shaft; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; means urging said member to operating position; an actuator; means adapted to mount said actuator on the closure for engagement with a relatively fixed support to be moved thereby to one position in response to closing of the closure; a pivotally mounted shifting member having a latching arm; means urging the shifting member rotatably to one eXtreme position; a connector; means movably mounting said connector for latching engagement with said arm and for movement to co-act With said arm in rotating the shifting member against its urging means; means operatively connecting said last means to saidractuator for movement by the latter to effect the aforesaid movement of said operating member to a position wherein the operating member will occupy non-operating position; a iixed cam having an active portion operable to move said connector out of latching engagement with said latching arm when the operating member has been moved to non-operating position; said shaft having a locking groove; locking dogs urged to engage said groove and releasably retain the operating member in nonoperating position; and a manually operable actuator having means co-actingwith said dogs to disengage the latter from said groove and free the operating member for movement to its operating position.

18. In locking mechanism for closures, an operating member for the mechanism; means adapted to mount said member on the closure for movement to occupy operating and non-operating positions; a manually operable actuator ring mounted for axial movement and urged to one extreme position; means co-acting with said operating member to releasably retain the latter in non-operating position; means co-acting With the last means and actuator ring,`to release the last means from the operating member in response to axial movement of the actuator ring in opposition to its urging means; and a lock disposed in said actuator ring in a iixed position on said mechanism and having a rotatable locking lug; and a stop plate carried by said actuator ring and having an opening with which said locking lugis aligned or disaligned to accordingly free the actuator ring for axial movement or lock it against axial movement.

ALBERT J. LEONARD.

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