US2549312A

US2549312A - Door latch structure

Info

Publication number: US2549312A
Authority: US
Inventors: Janonis George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-10-07
Filing date: 1946-10-07
Publication date: 1951-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1968-04-17

Description

G. JANNE DOOR LATCH STRUCTURE Filed Oct 7, 1.946

A rafi 17, 1951 GEORGE JANONIS ATTO R N EYS Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFF-ICE 7 2,549,312 I DOOR LATCIPSTRUCTURE George J anonis, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 7, 1946, Serial No. 701,659

This invention relates generally to door latch structures and refers more particularly to handle assemblies adapted for use with vehicle door 15 Claims. (Cl. 292223) latch mechanism of the type set forth in United I States Letters Patent No. 2,302,032 and 2,314,400 respectively.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide an outside handle assembly wherein the operating handle for the latch mechanism' lies substantially flat against the outside of the door so as to normally be out of the way and thereby relieve the door from objectionable protuberances, and is preferably in the form of an elongated finger piece that is mounted at one side of the window opening in the door so as to swing in a plane substantially parallel to the outside of the door from an upright position substantially parallel to an edge of said window opening to an inclined position overhanging said edge so that initially the latch bolt of the door latch mechanism will, during said swinging movement, be released from its keeper, and thereafter an end of the handle may be grasped in the window opening and used as a pull element to open the door;

Another object is to provide a handle assembly wherein the operating handle is so constructed that it normally serves in its upright position as a cover plate for and concealsits mountingv means and thereby provides a very neat appearance upon the outside of the door.

Another objectris to provide a handle assembly wherein the operating handle is operatively connected insuch a way to th door latch bolt that the spring means employed for normally holding the latch bolt in an operative position for proper latching engagement with its keeper is also utilized to normally hold the operating handle in its upright position over its mounting means.

Another object is to provide a handle assembly wherein the operating handle may be rendered inoperative from th inside ofthe door by means of a knob actuated member that may be engaged with said handle without being accessible or seen from the outside ofthe door. H

Another object is to provide a handle assembly that is simple in construction,-- economical to manufacture, easy to install and eflicient in operation.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this 'descriptionproceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a vehicle 2 v d 4 door equipped with a handle assembly embodying my invention and showing by dotted lines the position of the operating handle when th latch bolt is released and when the upper end portion of said handle may be used as a pull element for opening the door; 4

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the door with the operating handle removed therefrom and showing the mounting plate for said handle and associated parts; I I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectiona view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the operating handle in inclined position after the latch bolt has been released;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5V-5 of Figur 1;

Figure 6 is .a fragmentary elevation of the outer free edge of the door; and c Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawing, A is a vehicle door having a window openinglfl, B is a handle assembly embodying my invention, 0 is a pivotally mounted latch bolt on the free edge portion stantially L-shape in cross section and span the space petween the panels. Theflange l5 of the outer panel is crimped over the leg 16 of the L- shaped flange l4 and may be welded thereto if desired. r p

The handle assembly B embodying my invention is upon the-outer panel l3 of the door and preferably comprises the operating handle ll aforesaid,a mounting plate ill therefor, a pin i8 operable-by, a knob I9 from the inner side of the door for rendering the handle I l inoperative, and a tubular guide sleeve 20 for said pin. Asshown, the handle i l comprises an elongated bar of substantially T cross section that is pivoted adjacent one end thereof at 2| to the mounting plate ll. The mounting plate 11 is secured within an i-nwardly depressed portionzz ofthe outer panel 13 andhas its outer face substantiallyfiush with the outer surface of the outer panel. Preferably the shape of the plate ll and base 23 of the handle is substantially identical; however the base 23 is slightly oversize relative to said plate so as to cover and conceal the same when the parts are in registration. Moreover, the construction is such that the base 23 of the handle lies substantially flat against the outer surface of the outer panel 53 during its pivotal movement over the mounting plate Thus, the handle H is not apt to catch clothing of persons passing close to the door.

In the present instance the construction of the handle H is such that the longitudinal rib 24 thereof may be grasped by the fingers of the operator to swing the handle about its pivot 2| from the normal upright position in registration With the mounting plate I! to an inclined position (shown by dotted lines in Figure 1) overhanging the adjacent edge 25 of the window opening In in the door so that the upper end portion 26 of said handle may be grasped in the window opening and used as a D element to open the door.

The pin I8 is slidable in the guide sleeve 25 and in an opening 21 in the mounting plate I? to and from engagement with a suitable socket 28 in the back of the base 23 of the handle and may be conveniently operated by the knob l9 rigid with said pin. The guide sleeve 2G extends between and is terminally secured to the inner panel l2 and to the depressed portion 22 of the outer panel. Thus, this sleeve 20 not only guides the pin l8 but also serves as a structural reinforcement for the panels l2 and 13 respectively of the door.

The latch bolt C is wedge-shaped in configuration and is mounted to swing over the flang l4 forming the outside free edge of the door. Preferably the head 30 of the wedge-shaped bolt is rounded and has a laterally extending cylindrical shank 3| that extends inwardly through the free edge of the door and is journaled in a bearing 32 formed by complementary

semi-circular portions

33 and 34 respectively of

case plate sections

35 and 36 upon the inside and rigid with the free edge of the door.

Such sections

35 and 36 are preferably L-shape in cross section and are secured to each other as well as to the free edge of the door. Preferably the

webs

31 and 38 respectively of said sections are secured together in back to back relation, while the

lateral flanges

39 and 40 respectively of said section are secured to the door.

For normally retaining the tapered tail portion 4| of the latch bolt in lowered keeper engaging position, I have provided the shank 3! of the bolt with diametrically extending

pins

42 and 43 respectively and

coil springs

44 and 45 respectively that extend in opposite directions from said pins and are connected by bolts 46-and 41 anchored in the

webs

31 and 38 of the case plate sections 35 and35.

The mechanism D operable by the handle H for actuating the latch bolt C from the outside of the door comprises a T-shaped pin or stud 50 on the back of the handle, and a long link 5| terminally connected to the T-shaped pin 50 and to the pin 42 on the shank 3| of the latch bolt C. As shown in Figure 2, the stem 52 of the T-shaped pin 50 is located in an elongated slot 53 in the outer panel l3 and is adapted to travel lengthwise of said slot when moved by pivotal action of the handle I By referring to Figure 3' it will be noted that the handle normally overlies the slot 53 and conceals the same. The link 5| has an opening 55 receiving the pin 42 on the bolt shank 3| and has an elongated slot 56 receiving the stem 52 of the T-shaped pin on the handle so that the link 5| and bolt C may move independently of the handle H when the door is slammed or pushed to closed position. Thus, when the handle H is swung on its pivot 2| from the full line position to the dotted line position (Figure 1) the link 5| will lift the pin 42 and thus cause the latch bolt 0 to be rotated against the tension of the

springs

44 and 45.

Any suitable remote control mechanism (not shown) may be connected to the pin 43 on the shank 3| of the latch bolt to actuate the latter from the inner side of the door.

Preferably a lug 60 is provided on the mountin plate I! to serve as a stop for the handle As shown, this lug 60 engages a recess 6| in the handle so as to be normally concealed. Due to the link connection between the T-shaped pin 50 on the handle and the pin 42 on the bolt shank, it will be apparent that the

springs

44 and 45 for the. latch bolt C will hold the handle againstthe stop lug. 60 so that said handle is normally in registry with the mounting plate I! and conceals the slot. 53 in the outer panel |3.

What I. claim as my invention is:

1. A latch structure for a door, comprising a latch bolt '21, one edge of said door, means for actuating said'latch bolt including a pivotally mounted operating handle lying substantially flat against the outer side of said door, and means operable from the inner side of said door for rendering said actuating means inoperative including a knob actuated pin slidable transversely of said door and engageable with a socket in the back of said handle.

2. A latch structure for a door having inner and outer panels, comprising a latch bolt carried by a portion. of one of said panels, means for actuating said latch bolt including an operating handle mounted for pivotal movement over the outer panel, means for rendering said actuating means inoperative including a pin slidable transversely of both panels and engageable with said handle, and a guide for said pin extending between and terminally secured to both of said panels and constituting a reinforcing member therebetween.

3. A latch structure for a door having an outer panel provided withan opening and an inwardly depressed portion, comprising a latch bolt at an edge of said door, an operating handle upon the outer side and substantially parallel to said outer panel, a mounting plate for said handle substantially parallel thereto and anchored within said depressed portion, a pivot for said handle extending transversely of said plate, a pin on said handle projecting inwardly through the opening in said outer panel, and an operating connection between said handle and latch bolt including a member upon the inner side of and substantially parallel to said outer panel, said member having a lost motion connection with said pin.

4. A latch structure for a door having an outer panel provided with an opening, comprising a latch bolt at an edge of said door, an operating handle upon the outer side of and substantially parallel to said outer panel, a mounting plate for said handle substantially parallel thereto and carried by said outer panel, a pivot for said handle extending transversely of said plate, a projection on said handle extending inwardly through the opening in said outer panel} and an operating cc'Jnnection' betv'veei'i said-handle and latch-bolt including a membe'rv upon'itheinner side of and substantially parallel'to"saidfou'ter Panel, said member being connected directly to said projection. l

5. A latch structure fora'door' having; inner and outerpanels, comprising'a latch bolt'at 'one edge of said door, a guide sleeve extending.

v window opening, comprising a latch bolt at one edge of said door, and means for actuating said latch bolt including an elongated operating handle lying substantially flat against the outer side of said doorin a position substantially parallel to an edge of said window opening, and means mounting said handle so that it may swing in aplane substantially parallel to the outside of said door from the position aforesaid to a position overhanging an edge of said window opening, whereby the overhanging portion of said handle may be grasped in'said opening and used as a pull element to open the door, said mounting means including a mounting plate on the outer side of said door, and a pivot for said handle disposed perpendicular to the plane of movement of said handle and carried by said mounting plate, the construction and arrangement of said handle and mounting plate relative to each other being such that "said handle normally covers and conceals said mounting plate and pivot aforesaid.

7. A latch structure for a door having 'a' window opening, comprising a latch bolt atv one edge of said door, and means for actuating said latch bolt including an elongated operating handle lying substantially flat against the outer side of said door in a position substantially parallel to an edge of said window opening, and means mounting said handle so that it may swing in a plane substantially parallel to the outside of aid door from the position aforesaid to a position overhanging an edge of said window opening, whereby the overhanging portion of said handle may be grasped in said opening and used as a pull element to open the door, said mounting means including a mounting plate on the outer side of said door, and a pivot for said handle disposed perpendicular to the plane of movement of said handle and carried by said mounting plate, the construction and arrangement of said handle and mounting plate relative to each other being such that said handle normally'covers and conceals said mounting plate and pivot aforesaid, andirneans operable from the inner side of said door'ifor rendering said handle inoperative, including a knob actuated mounting meansincluding amounting plate secu'red within an inwardly depressed portionof theouter side of said door, and'a pivot forsaid handle disposed perpendiculartto the plane of movement of said handle and carried by said mounting plate, the construction and arrange-' ating handle lying substantially fiat against. the

outer side of said door,-means mounting said handle so that it may swing in a plane substantially parallel to the outside of said door, said mounting means including a mounting plate upon the outer side of said door, and a pivot for said handle disposed perpendicular to the plane of movement of said handle and engaging said mounting plane, and means for holding said handle over said mounting plate, including a lug on said mounting plate normally'concealed by said handle and engageable with a recess in said handle.

. 1'0. A latch structure for a door, comprising a latch bolt at one edge of said door, and means for actuating said latch bolt including an operating handle lying substantially flat against the outer side of said door, means mounting said handle so that it may swing in a plane substantially parallel to the outside of said door, said mounting means includinga mounting plate upon the outer side of said door, and a' pivot for said handle disposed perpendicular to the plane of movement of said handle and engaging said mounting plate, a guide sleeve extending between and terminally secured to the inner and outer sides of said door, said mounting plate having an opening and'said handle having a socket normally in registration with the Outer end of said guide sleeve, and means operable from the inner side of said door for rendering said handle inoperative, including a knob actuated member slidable in said guide sleeve and in said registering opening and socket.

11. A latch structure for a door, comprising a latch bolt at one edge of said door, and means for actuating said latch bolt including an operating handle lying substantially flat against the outer side of said door, means mounting said handle so that it may swing in a plane substantially parallel to the outside of said door, said mounting means including a mounting plate upon the outer side of said door, and a pivot for said handle disposed perpendicular to the plane of movement of said handle and engaging said mounting plate, a structural reinforcement for said door extending between and secured to the inner and outer sides of said door, and means operable from the inner side of said door for rendering said handle inoperative, including a knob actuatedmember slidably engaging said structural reinforcement and movable through said mounting plate into engagement with said handle Without being accessible or seen from the outside of the door.

12. A latch structure for a door having a window opening, comprising a latch bolt at one edge ofv said door at a point remote to said window opening, and means for actuating said latch bolt including an elongated operating handle having a pivot normal to one side of said door and located adjacent said window opening, the length 7 of said handle from one end portion thereof to said pivot being greater than the distance between said pivot and said window opening whereby said end portion may be swung, about said pivot from a position overlying said side of said door to a position overhanging an. edge of said window opening, said handle being disposed in such close substantially parallel relation to said side of said door that theback of said endportion is inaccessible when saidend portion is in said 8 Y Y tion is inaccessible when-saidend portion is in said overlying position but is accessible in said I window opening and is adapted to be used as a overlying position but is accessible insaid window opening and is adapted to be used as a pull element to open the door when said end portion is in said overhanging position.

13. A latch structure for a door having a window opening, comprising a latch bolt at one edge of said door at a point remote to said window opening, means for actuating said latch bolt including an elongated operating handle having a pivot normal to one side of said doc-r and located adjacent said window opening, and means operable from the other side of said door for rendering said actuating means inoperative including a pin slidable transversely of said door and engageable with said handle.

14. A latch structure for a door having. a window opening, comprising a latch bolt at one edge of said door at a point remote to said window opening, means for actuating said latch bolt including an elongated operating handle having a pivot normal to one side of said door and located adjacent said window opening, the length of said handle from one end portion thereof to said pivot being greater than the distance between said pivot and said window opening whereby said end portion may be swung about said pivot from a position overlying said side of said door to a position overhanging an edge of said window opening, said handle being disposed, in such close substantially parallel relation to said side of said door that the back of said end porpull element to open thedoor when said end portion is in said overhanging position, and means including an outward projectionon the front of said handle-for swinging said handle about said pivot between the two positions mentioned.

15. A latch structure for a door having inner and outerpanels, comprising a tubular member extending between and terminally connected to said inner and outer panels, a mounting plate on one of said panels and having an opening registering with one end of said tubular member, a latch. bolt at one edge of said door, means for actuating said bolt including an operating handle pivoted on said plate and having a socket adapted to register with. said opening, and means for rendering said handle inoperative including a pin slidable in said tubular member through said opening and engageable with said socket.

' GEORGE JANONIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Thompson Apr. 27, 1943