US2637582A

US2637582A - Door lock

Info

Publication number: US2637582A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Roethel
Original assignee: ROETHEL ENGINEERING CORP
Current assignee: ROETHEL ENGINEERING Corp
Priority date: 1946-06-24
Filing date: 1946-06-24
Publication date: 1953-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-05

Description

May 5 1953 J. H. ROETHEL 2,637,582

- DooR LOCK Filed June 24, 194s v s sheets-sheet 1 EE- @MM QW rra/mix May 5, 1953 J. H. ROETHEL 2,637,582

nooR LocK Filed June 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www May 5, 1953 J. H. ROEfHEL 2,637,582

DOOR LOCK Filed June 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wa/rA/EX Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT (HTFICEv DOOR LOCK John H. Roethel, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Roethel Engineering Corporation,

Detroit,

Mich.; a corporation of Michigan Application June 24, 1946, Serial No. 678,991

30 Claims.

This invention relates to latch mechanism for swinging doors and particularly, although n-ot exclusively, to latch mechanism which is especially adapted to be used in connection with the doors of Vehicle bodies, such as automobile bodies. An object of the invention is to provide a door latch which combines in relatively simple and compact form such desirable features as quetness of operation when closing the door, simplicity and compactness in construction, operational .efficiency and economy in manufacture.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide an improved door latch embodying a latch bolt extending longitudinally at the free edge of the door and shiftable bodily in a generally vertical or up and down direction by a rotative motion both when closing and opening the door, means being provided for locking or holding the bolt preferably in a plurality of positions and additional means of an improved, relatively simple and ei'hcient character being provided for releasing the bolt locking means selectively from the inside and outside of the door to permit the door to be opened. Another object of the invention is to provide anrimproved door latch mechanism for a swingunit for movement by the spring means from door latched position to door unlatched position,

said locking means having a latch unlocked position and a latch locked position, said latch 4mechanism being provided with means effective when said latch unitA is out of door latched position for holding the locking means out of latched locked position in an intermediate position, and a further means, effective when said locking means is in said intermediate position for mov- `ing said locking means from said intermediate position into said locked position upon move- :ment of said latch unit into d-oor latched position.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, herein illustrated by example, there is provided a movable latch unit mounted 'on Va support for the latch mechanism. The latch unit is movable between a door latched position and adoor unlatched position and is under the 2 influence of a spring means urging the latch unit at all times toward door unlatched position. A pivotally movable detent is provided which is adapted releasably to maintain the latch unit in door latched position, the detent having a latch released position and a latch holding position. An outer manually operable lever is provided which is operable to release or move the detent from latch holding position. Preferably the release lever is fixed to the detent and is pivotally mounted on said support -to swing about a common pivot axis therewith. A locking means is also provided which is engageable with the release lever for blocking the same and thereby preventing movement of the detent to release the latch unit for movement from door latched to door unlatched position. The locking means is selectively movable into and out of release lever locking position by manually operable means. The latch mechanism is further provided with means for engaging and blocking the locking means against movement into locked position when the latch unit is in door unlatched position, said blocking means being rendered ineffective to block movement of the locking means upon movement oi the latch unit from door unlatched to door latched position. An important feature of the present invention is a means, efiective when said locking means is engaged and blocked by said blocking means, for automatically moving said locking means into locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

Other .objects of this invention will appear in the iollowing description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings orming a part of this speciiication wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of an automobile body provided with a swinging front door upon which the latch device made in accordance with the present invention is installed.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially through lines 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 2A is a face View illustrating in detail the rotatable bolt carrying plate and locking detent or dog therefor.

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the latch device ltaken substantially from position 3 in Fig. 2

looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantally through lines 4--4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially through lines 5-5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially through lines 6-,6 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 'I is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially through lines 1 1 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

8 is a plan view taken substantially from position 8 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section'taken substantially ,y

:lines |2-I2'of Fig. 9zlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 13 isa section.takensubstantially through .lines |3|.3.of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of -the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present inven- ,tionit is to be understood thattheinvention is not limited in itsapplication'to the details of A'c :onstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in thetaccompanying drawings, since the invention ils capable of other embodiments andof being 4practiced or carried yout in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein `is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings there is illustrated, .by Vway vof example, one embodiment of the present invention as applied to a door and door l,frame structure, such as that of anautomobile body.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the automobile body,

designated generally at A, is provided with av front door B which is hinged at its front edge so as to swing against a door post or bodypillar `C in accordance with conventional practice. VVIl'iedoor comprises an outer metal door panel 21| and an inner metal door panel-2|, see'Fig. 2. JThe panel 2| terminates in a transverse jamb edge or portion 2.2 (Fig. 8) facing the fixed jamb `face or edge `23 l(Fig. V3) ofthe door -frame post or body pillar C.

.Secured by .meansof screws 24 to the-inner side ofthe .jamb portion 22of.the.door is -a case plate 25 having a flange 2.6 engaging the -inner side of the inner door panel 2|. .Mounted onthe -case plate y25 is a bolt carrying plate or member 21 which islrotatable .uponapivot .orstud .28 in the formrof a shoulder rivet secured to the case plate. Rigidly fastened to the-.plate member 2.1 at a point spaced from the .pivotal axis 23 v iV-,hereof 4is acylindrical latch bo1t29. This'bolt is carried by the plate 2 1 eccentrically thereof .and projects outwardly in a longitudinal horizontal direction through anarcuate slot3|l in the case plate and also through a similar andregistering arcuate slot inthe amb face ,22 o f the door. Theseslots areooveredand closed bythe plate 21 whenthedoor is open. The bolt carry- Vinsulate,2,1is,ifnrned ,units periphery at :the

tionor step ofthe bolt.

Associated with the bolt carrying plate 21 is a detent arm o-r clogging member 33 extending in the plane of the plate 21 and located therebelow. This arm 33 is riveted at 34 at an intermediate -point to a laterally embossed or offset portion 35a.

formed in theelowerend of a detent actuating lever-35,this lever being pivoted at its lower end so .as 'toswing inwardly and outwardly about a pivot stud or shoulder rivet 36 secured to the case plate .and to thaembossed portion 35a of the lever. The upper end of the detent actuating lever F35 is guided in its swinging movement by means of a headed stud or pin 31 extending through a guide slot 38 in a laterally embossed orolsetportion 357;of the lever. Thev embossed or oifset portions 35a and 3.519 of the lever 235 enable these portions of the lever 'to be positioned againstor proximate to thecase plate 25 while spacing the intermediate portion of the lever away from the case plate so as to provide clearance for the bolt carrying plate 21 and the main spring controlling the -same.

It will be noted that the boltcarrying plate 21, as viewed in Fig. A2, is rotatable in Aa clockwise direction Iwhen the bolt moves from unlatched position toits latching position shown invFig. z2. The detent actuating .lever 35 is pivoted .at .36 vbelow the boltcarrying plate 21, and the outer end of thedetent arm 33 is `provided with'adog or detent portion 33a engageable successively `with the abutments 3| and 32 when thedoor is closed. The detent actuating leve-r 35 ispreferably formed fromsheet steel in a single stamping and is suitably flanged-along certain of the-edges thereof .to .alford the necessary strength and rigidity.

The bolt carrying plate 21 is constantly urged =toward bolt unlatching position .and the detent arm 33 is constantly urged toward the plate 21 .by means 0f a common main spring 39. This .spring inthe present instance has a plurality of intermediate coils terminating at one end in Yan outwardextension 33a anchored at itsupperend .to a tongue 40 struck out from themetal of the lever 35. The main springalso terminates at its Vopposite end in an .upward Vextension 39h vanchored at.4| to theplate 2.1 .at .a point above the `pivot 1.28 thereof. The spring 39 is installed under predetermined load ortension so as to exert constant rotative efforton the vbolt carrying plate 21 andthe detent actuating lever 35. It will be seen cthat by mounting and connecting the main spring as shown the spring will resist inward movement,

-i...e. tothe left in Fig. 2, of the lever 35and will also resist rotative .motion of the bolt carrying .plate 21 in a clockwise direction, i. e. toward bolt latching position. From this construction lit will lbeseenthat a single spring vmeans may be utilized to control thebolt carrying plate 211andthe .detent actuating lever 35, this spring providing .a direct connection :between these parts. VThe outer edge of the lever 35 is formed with a lateral 43 or by any othersuitable means such as a push Abuttonoperable from the outside of therdoor.

`'n accordance with the present invention improved remote control mechanism is provided for swinging the lever 35 and detent arm 33 into position to disengage the detent arm from either the safety step or abutment 3| or the final step or abutment 32. This remote control mechanism includes manually operable means, such as a door handle or push button device, located on the inside of the door at a point remote from the case plate. The remote control mechanism comprises a bell crank or two arm lever 44 pivoted at 45 through the medium of a shoulder rivet to the case plate flange 26, see Fig. 3. The bell crank 44 includes a longitudinally extending offset arm 44a notched at its outer end to overlie a lateral ilange 33h formed at the terminal end of the detent arm 33, see Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The lever 44 also has a depending lever arm 44h connected by a stud 46 to the slotted end 41 of a remote control link 48 which is pivoted at its opposite end at 48a to the lower end of a swinging lever 49. The upper end of this lever is pivoted at 50 to a mounting plate secured to the inner door panel 2|. The lever is secured at its pivot 50 to the shank of the inner door handle (not shown) and is provided with an upward projection 49a engaged by a spring 52 effective to return the lever to its normal position after the inner door handle has been released. By turning the inner door handle to rock the lever 49 the link 48 will be shifted to the left in Fig. 3, thus rocking the bell crank lever 44, depressing the lever arm 44a which by engagement with the flanged end 33h of the detent arm 33 will force the detent downwardly from its position shown in Fig. 2 until the dog portion 33a thereof clears and is free of the abutment 3| or 32 on the bolt carrying plate 21. When this action occurs the spring 39 will rotate the plate 21 in a counterclockwise direction thereby shifting the bolt 29 to the lower end of the slot 3U in the case plate. A similar action occurs when the plunger 42fis shifted inwardly to rock the lever 35. It will be apparent from this construction that actuation of either the plunger 42 or remote control lever 44 to free the detent from the plate 21 will be accomplished one independent of the other.

In accordance with the present invention additional means is provided for locking the bolt carrying plate 21 when this plate as well as the latch bolt 29 has been moved to the nal locking position with the detent or dog portion 33a in engagement with the abutment or final locking step 32 shown in Fig. 2. This additional locking means comprises a bell crank or two arm locking lever 53 pivoted at 54 to the case plate flange 26 by means of a shoulder rivet, see Fig. 3. The locking lever has a depending arm 53a stamped to form an intermediate embossed portion or blocking projection 531) which, as shown in Figs. 2 and '7, is arranged in such manner as to be shifted into and out of blocking position with respect to an inner ilanged edge portion d of the detent actuating lever 35. The inside locking lever 53 is also formed with a longi- .tudinally extending arm 53c lying against the inner face of the case plate flange 26 and pivotally connected at its terminal end to a vertically extending rod or plunger 55. This rod projects through the garnish molding at the lower edge of the window opening and carries at its upper end a knob or button 56 (see Fig. 1) which is accessible at the inner side of the window glass of the door. It will be readily seen that -when the knob or button 56 is pulled vupwardly the rod or link 55 will swing'the lever" 53 about its pivot 54 thereby shifting the blocking projection 53h to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the full line position shown in Fig. 7 out of blocking position with respect to the flange portion 35d of the'detent actuating lever 35. `When, however, the knob or button 56 is pushed down to shift the rod 55 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, the depending arm 53a of the lever will be swung forwardly thereby shifting the blocking projection 53h to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 'l into blocking or abutting relation with respect to the lever 35. When this occurs the lever will be blocked against swinging motion in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, and any attempt to release the detent arm 33 from the bolt carrying plate 21 by shifting the plunger 42 through the medium of the outer door handle 43 or swinging the remote control lever 44 through the medium of the inner door handle will be prevented. vIn other words, when the blocking projection 53D is moved into blocking position with respect to the detent actuating lever 35, the door cannot be opened by manipulating either the inner door handle or the outer door handle.

The inside locking lever 53 may also be actuated by means of a key controlled device from the outside of the door, such device being ordinarily incorporated in oneor both of the front door locks but usually omitted in connection with the rear door locks of the vehicles. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the lower end of the arm 53a of the locking lever 53 is provided with avertical slot 51 within which is slidable a pin 58 attached to the upper end of a crank arm 59 pivoted at its lower end to the case plate, the lever being provided with a square opening or socket to receive a key actuated shaft 60. The` shaft is connected to the cylinder mechanism of any conventional lock having the usual key control. By turning the key in the lock in the outside of the door the crank arm 59 may be swung fromthe position shown in Fig. 3 in a clockwise direction thereby'swinging the arm 53a Aand shifting the blocking projection 53h to its blocking `position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. Reverse turning of the key will swing the lever arm 53a in the opposite direction to the position shown in Fig. 3 and in full lines in Fig. '1, thereby moving the blocking projection 53h out of blocking position with respect to the detent actuating lever 35.

The inside locking lever 53 is yieldingly controlled by means of a snap-over spring 6| comprising an intermediate coiled portion, one end of the spring being anchored at 6 a to the case plate and the other end anchored at SIb to the lever arm 53e. This spring will yieldingly hold the lever 53 in either its blocking or unblocking position by vreason of the fact that the point SIb passes above and below dead center when the lever is shifted to unblocking and blockingpositions respectively.

It will be seen that the latch bolt 29 is movable between unlatching and latching positions in an arcuate path as defined by the arcuate slot 30 in the case plate. The bolt is actuated when the door is closed by means of a striker device which is mounted on the jamb edge 23 (Fig. 3) of the body pillar or xed upright member of the door frame. In the present instance the striker device comprises a stamped metal piece 62 flanged entirely around its edges to provide strength and rigidity. This Striker member 642 is adapted to be secured to the jamb'edge of the pillar er .door Vbv screws f5.3. and .Ls formed with aminwardlyand-upwardlyextendingslot or snideway @which in the nresentinstanee has straight parallel sides 54a and Mb -formed by the ensine AQi the edges Qi ,thestrker so .as t0 afszrd ample bearing .engagement with the bolt 2 9 as olearlyshown in Fig. 3. The Widthof .the gnidewav 6.4 "approximates `the diameter :of fthe boi-t 29 [and usually-slightly greater .in order to @rieure Ytree movement of the `bolt thItOugh the enideway regardless of variations dueto allow.- ahle-.tolerances irl-production in thepresent L embodiment yof J.the invention I provide yieldable wedging means cooperable. with thefstriirer easing .6-2 .and also with .the 4bolt to hold the door rigidly against vertical ivibratory mation ,during Qneratien of lthe vehicle. seeFigs- 9 :to 5.3 inclusive. This Wedging means .in the present ,instance comprises a stampedhollowcas, ing 265 o f generally rectangular shape yand Open at the bottom. The-top Wall .65a of thecasing projects through a slot in the vcase plate 25 .and is'pened over at 65h so as to rigidly secure `the c asing. tothe case plate. Extending'upwardly within .the casing .5 5 andy slidable therein .is a. wedge block 66, the outer face thereof being notched toreceive-t:he1outer depending wall 65C 0f the (easing, :as `,shown in Eis. 1 2. The inner Yerlial Wall of .thewedge xblock :is -formed with a .grooveorguide slot .l-lV extending from end to end andadapied .to receive aguide ribt pressed ontiof .the metal .of the caseplate 25. Com-municating with the guide `slot .6,1 is a shorter slot 6 9 ,which is l0f a shape and depth to receive a compression spring 1.9,. one end of the spring bCtOmng against the .closed end o f the slot 9 and ithe :otherendoi `the spring engaging a wall of :the casing, as shown in Fig. 1 3. 'rhisspring is lnioiuited under v.initial load and .constantly prees .the .wedge .block .5 6 toward vthe pos'tion shownin Fis. 1.0. .fr-he top wall of the easing G2 ,is .inclined as shown .at ft2-a and the bottom of the bleek 651s correspondinely` inclined as shown ata.

During `closing movement .of the door, las vthe ,Wedge .block :6B .travels from the position Vshown in |`Eig. 1i successively -to the positions shown i-n Figs. .10 and.9, it .will engage .the inclined surface ,Ghini the easing and. `diie to irictional contact, will Lbe forced Zback to some yextent against the aetionof thefspring 1.9. Durinq'vehicle operation and .as .a resiilt of vibrations incident thereto the .wedge will be constantly urged upwardly along the `inclined .surface 62a by the .spring 1,0 and thisv .action .will result in maintaining the 4holt 29 izmly in .engagement with .the .upper ,inclined Wall 64a of the bolt guideway EL. Thus, .due to the action 0f the wedge $5 .the portion of .the striker .62 lying ,between .the b olt 29 and .the Iwedge will at all times be rigidly clamped therebetween regardless of the -nal position taken b y 4the bolt Within the guide slot. position will vary slightly duri-ng use of .the v e.- hisle due te the fact that .the .door eis usually .pissed :asa-inst :a 'marginal rubber weatherstrinp ingwhioh @impresses -to a variable .extent .durmessage.

.the nresentexnbediment the construction is Such as t@ permit the lever .5 3 te be moved i@ blocking pesition when the detent .3.3 is env sasedwith the iinal locking .step .32 :but not when engaged with the v safety .step 3i or when the daer is tuilropen. The heit plate 2i is provided vwith additionai abutment .75 ha vins the .same depth as the :abutment .or Step 13l and, hence,

shallnwer .than the .step .32. `When .the .door `is Qleil A.with the bolt at 4.the ilower and of .slot the datent portion .3.311 #will fengage the step 1 5. Since thsstep is shallower than .theistep .32 will hold the idetent iarm a sslight distance lower than :its position .in Fig. 2 and 'correspondingly willfhold thellev-er.faslightidistance to the .left of iitsjposition in Fig. ,2. YThis .displacement .of the lever .35 v.will .be sufficient .to .project Vthe edge of the abutmentange 35d. into thelpath of .the blocking :DrQJ'ection .5317, Vas shownin Adotted lines in Fig. 7. iA similar position'of the ange .35d is sahen when .the detent isengaged-in the :safety Stap. .Whenthus positioned it will be seen .that thesahutnient .flange 35d will prevent .the block ing profetica-from ibeing shifted past lthe edge of the flange to blocking position.

T:he spring 6;! may -loe mounted eo as .to return the .louer -53 `to normal position, .shown by the iulllnes :in Figs. 3 and 7 ,except when the .blocking projection moves into blocking position, .or may b efmountedas shownin Fig. 7 so as to throw. the .lever into blocking position when .the door iaswungfclosed after ,first pushing down-on the knob l5 3 in theopenposition of .thedoorn With the door in ,open :position the knob 5B .may be depressed .a .short distance thus depressing the lever ,arm 53e land .moving .the blocking .projectionagainstthe edge-oithe-lange35d (the latter beinginitheidotted line positionoi Fig. 7 When this occurs the ipoint of connection .ii-Ib .of :spring El will ,pass .below dead center a sl-ghtdistance, thus enabling .the spring to hold the blocking projection against .the flange 35d. lf the `door is ythan 4 slaniined or swung closed, movement of the detept .into the .final .step .32 will back 4the iiange 35d outof the path iof .the blocking ,projeca .tion 53o .to the ldull line position .of Fig. 7. At theA instant .this ,occurs the spring Gil will .force the projection -53b to block-ing position shown in dotted :lines in Fig.. Thus with l.the :foregoing spring arrangement .it ,is possible to close ,thedoorfrom .the outside and automatically lock the door without requiring iiihe yuse .of .the key.

The step 1.5 on .the ,bQltpIate has thepadditiona-l .advantage .0I ensuring that the bolt 2 9 will `at all times assume a predetermined position when the door is open. Any upward shifting of the bolt when the door is open will be resisted by the spring loaded detent which will at all times 'ge the bolt plate to full unlocked position lwith the de tent in full engagement with step 75. This action .assists in maintaining the bolt in proper position with respect to the open end ,0f the striker vslot 64.

T O `ensure rapid and positive engagement of the detent with the nal locking step when the .door is slammed I- prefer lto provide an additional coil spring .16- to assist the main spring 39. The inner end of spring is anchored to a struck- `out tongue i1 on the case plate and the outer end 16a engages 'the undersidefof the detent arm thus urging it upwardly toward locking position.

I claim:

1. In a .door control mechanism a movable latch unit supported for movement between a .door latched position and a door .unlatched position, spring means for urging said latch unit .at all times tow-ard said door unlatched position, a moi/able detent adapted releasably to maintain said latch unit in door latched position and having a latch released position and a latch holding position. locking :means for preventing release of said lat/ah unit for movement 'by said latched position.

2. In a door control mechanism, a latch unit supported for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent adapted releasably to maintain said latch unit in door latched position and having a latch released position and a latch holding position, means for actuating said detent to rellease said latch unit from door latched position,

locking means for preventing release of said latch unit from door latched position, manually operable means for selectively moving said lockingmeans into and out of a locked position in which release of said latch unit from door latched position is prevented, means for engaging and blocking said locking means against movement into locked position when said latch unit is in door unlatched position, said blocking means being rendered ineffective upon movement of said latch unit from door unlatched to door latched position, and means, eective when said locking means is engaged and blocked by said lblocking means, for automatically moving said locking means into locked position upon movekment of said latch unit into door. latched position.

3. In a door control mechanism a movable latch unit, Ya movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an `operated or door unlatched position and being movable therebetween in latching and unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position and being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatching direction, a movable locking member having a latch unlocked position, and a latch locked posit-ion, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means eiective when said latch unit is out of door latched position for holding said locking member against movement from said intermediate position into said latch locked position, and means for automatically moving said locking member from said intermediate position into said latch locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

4. In a door control mechanism, a movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an operated or door unlatched position and being movable therebetween in latching and unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position and being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatching direction, a movable locking member having a latch unlocked position, a latch locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means effective when said latch unit is lout of door latched position for holding said locking member against movement from said intermediate position into said latch locked position, means for automatically moving said locking member from said intermediate position into said latch locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position, and manually operable means for positioning said locking member in either latch unlocked, latch locked, or intermediate position.

5. In a door control mechanism, la movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an operated or vdoor unlatched position and being movable therebetween in latching and unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position and being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatching direction, a movable locking member having -a latch unlocked position, and a latch locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means efiective when said latch unit is out of door latched position for holding said locking member against movement from said intermediate position into said latch locked position, and spring means operatively associated with said locking member and adapted to urge said locking member away from said latch locked position when said locking member is in said latch unlocked position and to urge said locking member toward said latch locked position upon `said locking member reaching a point between said latch unlocked position and said intermediate position during movement from latch unlocked position toward latch locked position.

6. In a door control mechanism, a movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with saidlatch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an operated or door unlatched position and being movable therebetween in latching and unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position and being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatching direction, a movable locking member having a latch unlocked position, and a latch locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means effective when said latch unit is cutof door latched position for holding said locking member against movement from said intermediate position into said latch tion, and manually operable means for moving said locking member from, said latch unlocked position to said intermediate and latch locked positions and return.

7. In a 'door control `mechanism, a movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an operated or door unlatched position and being .racontez locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means effectivewhen said latch unit is out of door latched position for holdingsaid locking member againstmovement fromr said intermediateposition into said latch locked position, spring means operatively associated with said locking member and adapted to urge said locking member awayfromv said latch locked position when said locking member is in said' latch unlockedposition andI to' urge said locking member-toward said latch locked: position upon said' locking member reachingia point I between said latch unlocked: positionY and' said intermediate positionV during movement from latch` unlocked position toward. latch locked Vposition, and means', manuallyroperablexfromtheinnerA` side of the doorA with which; the; mechanism isfused, for moving'said locking member from said latch unlocked to Said intermediate and latch locked positions 'andv return;

8i In a doorl control mechanism; a movable latch` uniti, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch-unit, said. latchk unit having an operative-f or door latched positionland an operated'- or' door unlatchedI position and being movable therebetween in:` latchingi and unlatching` direction; said-f detent havingra latich holding position in` which it maintains,saidilatch unit in saidl operative ordoorlatchedposition and; being movable therefrom: to, a', latch .released position permitting'movementio said". latch unit in unlatchingk direction,- a movable locking mem-l berhaving a.I latch: unlocked'. position,- a latch locked position, and arrV intermediate position therebetween, blocking meansleiectivewhen said`l latch unit is outy of. doorlatched position for holding said lockingimember against movement from' said* intermediate position` into said latchlocked position',v andi means, including a snap-over spring, for: holding said locking member in said-` intermediate; position after being movedthereinto when'ysaid latch-unit islin' door unlatchedipositioni and for automatically moving said`r locking member.u from saidr intermediate position'into .saidslatclr lockedipositionwhen said latch unitfmovesfrom. door unlatchedinto: door latched position;

9'. In a door. control mechanism'y ai movable latch unit, a movablek detent; operatively associated with. said=latchunit, saidlatch unithaving operative or. door latched position` and an operatedorf door unlatched position.v and being movable therebetween in; latching andA unlatching directions,y said detent having a latch holding position in which litrnaintains. said latch unitin said'. operative or door latched position and being movableitherefrom to-a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatching direction, a movable locking member. having a. latch unlocked position; a latch locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means'elective when said spring, for holding saidlocking member: in: said intermediate position after being moved thereinto When said latch unit is in door unlatched position and for automatically moving said locking member from said intermediate position into said latch locked position when said latch unit moves from door unlatched into door latched position, and manually operable means for positioning'said locking member in either latch unlocked, latch locked, or intermediate position.

10..In a door control mechanism, a movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit' having an operative or door latched position and an operated or door unlatched position and-being movable therebetween in latching and unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit-in saidoperative or door latched position and being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in. unlatching direction, a locking member havingl a' latchv unlocked position, a latch locked position, and an intermediate position therebetween, locking member blocking means arranged to bemoved-fromblocking to non-blockingposition. concurrently with movement of saidlatch unitfrom door unlatched to door latched position whereby said blocking means is effective to hold said locking` member against movement from.` said intermediatev position intoy said latch lockedlposition when said latch unit is out of door latched position, and spring means for urging said locking member fromv said intermediate position, into said locked position whereby, when said latch unit is in door unlatched position and said lockingmember is moved from said unlocked position into said intermediate position, movement. of SaidlatchA unit; into door latched position and concurrent. movement ofy said blocking meansinto.=non-blocking position `will .permitlsaid spring meansitomove vsaid lockingI memberv from said intermediate,positionl into said locked i posi- 'JOI'L lfl. In: a doorcontrol mechanism,- a movable latclrunit, a-movable detent: operatively associatedwith said latchunit, said latch unit having an operative or door'latched position and an operated or door unlatched position andv being movablev therebetween in` latching and unlatching directions, said ydetent having a latch holding position in-.whi'chiitmaintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position and'being movable therefrom to a latchreleased position permitting movement of saidl-atch unit in unlatching direction, v a, locking member having a latchunlocked position, a latch locked position, landan intermediate position-therebetween, locking: member blockingTV means `arranged to be movedI from.`blocking to non-blocking position concurrently with movement of said latch unit from-` door unlatchedv to door latched position whereby said blocking means is effective to hold said lockingv member against movement from said-intermediate position into said latch locking f position when said latch unit is out of door latched^positionspring. means for urging said locking means from saidintermediate position into.l said locked. position whereby, when said latch-unit is indoor unlatched position and said locking member is-moved from said latch unlocked-into said intermediate position, movement Aof said'latch unit into door latched position and concurrent movement ofY said bloking means into non-blocking position .will permit said spring means toizmovesad lockingrmember from said intermediate position vinto fsaid'locked position,

and manuallyv operable means for positioning said locking member in either unlocked, locked, or intermediate position.

12. In a door control mechanism, a movable latch unit, a movable detent operatively associated with said latch unit, said latch unit having an operative or door latched position and an operated 4or door unlatched position and being movable therebetween in latching Iand unlatching directions, said detent having a latch holding position in which it maintains said latch unit in said operative or door latched position Iand being movable therefrom to a latch released position permitting movement of said latch unit in unlatehing direction, a locking member having a latch unlocked position, a latch locked position, 'and an intermediate position therebetween, blocking means for holding said locking member against movement from said intermediate position into said latch locking position when said latch unit is in its operated or door unlatched position, said blocking means being operatively lassociated with said detent for movement out of position to hold said locking 'member in its intermediate position concurrently with movement of said detent into latch holding position, and means for urging said locking -member away from said latch locked position when said locking member is in said latch unlocked position Iand toward said latch locked positionwhen in said intermediate position.

`13. In combination in a door ycontrol mechanism, a latch unit supported for movement beltween' a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent adapted releasablv to maintain said latch unit in -door vlatched position and having a latch released position land alatch holding position, a, locking member supported for movement between a latch unlocked position and a latch locked position and having lan intermediate position therebetween, lock member blocking means associated with said detent, said locking member having a portion positioned to engage said lock member blocking means when said detent is in latchl released position whereby said locking member is held out of latch locked position in :said intermediate position, and spring means 'for urging said locking member away from said latch locked position when in said latch unlocked position and toward said latch locked position when in said intermediate position-whereby said `locking member, after being moved from said `latch unlocked position to said'intermediate position, will be moved by said spring means into lits latch locked position upon movement of said detent into latch holding position.

14. In a door control mechanism, a frame structure, a latch unit supported by said frame structure for movement between a door latch position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent supported by lsaid frame structure and operatively associated With-said latch unit, said detent having a latch holding position and a latch released position, a rlocking member pivotally supported on said frame structure for movement between a latch unlocked position and a latch looked position, locking member lblocking means Veffective when -said latch unit )is out of door latched position to block said locking member out of latch locked position in an intermediate position, and spring means ei:- tending between said frame and said locking member, the common center line between the pivotal support of said locking member and the eiiective point of engagement of said spring means with said frame structure passing between. the position of the effective point of engagement of said spring means with said locking member when said locking member is in unlocked position and the position of sai-d effective point of engagement of said spring means with said locking member when said locking member is in said intermediate position, whereby when said locking member is in unlocked position said spring means tends to maintain it therein and. when said locking member is moved from unlockedy position toward locked position, said spring means will, after said effective point of engagement of said spring means with said locking member crosses said ycommon center line, urge said locking member toward its said intermediate and latch locked positions.

l5. In a door control mechanism, a fram structure, a latch unit supported by said frame structure for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent supported by said frame structure and operatively associated with said latch unit, said detent having a latch holding position and a. latch released position, a locking member pivotally supported on said frame structure for movement between a latch unlocked an a latch locked position, said detent having a locking member blocking portion movable therewith, said blocking portion being positioned to block said locking member out of latch locked positionin an intermediate position when said detent is in latch released position and to permit movement of said locking member into latch locked position when said detent is in latch holding position, and spring means extending between said frame and said looking member, the common center line between the pivotal support of said locking member and the effective point of engagement of said spring means with said frame structure passing between the position of the effective point of engagement lof said spring means with said locking member when said locking member is in unlocked position and the position of said effective point of engagement of said spring means with said locking member when said locking member is in said intermediate position, whereby when said locking member is in unlocked position said spring means tends to maintain it therein and, when said locking member is moved from unlocked position toward locked position, said spring means will, after said effective point of engagement of said spring means with said locking member crosses said common center line, urge said locking member toward its said intermediate and latch locked positions.

16. In a door control mechanism, a frame structure, a latch unit supported by said frame structure for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent supported by said frame structure and operatively associated with said latch unit, said detent having latch holding position and a latch released position, a locking member supported on said frame structure for lineal movement between a latch unlocked position and a latch locked position, locking member blocking means effective when said latch unit is out of door latched position to block said locking member out of latch locked position in an intermediate position, an actuatingr lever for said locking member, said lever being pivotally mounted on l safidfram'e', meansifor operatively conn'ectingsaid lever- 'to said locliin'g member, V and I spring means extendingbetween said lever andsaid lil-ame, said spring meanslbelng arrangedto urgeisaid lever inY adirection to movesaid'llocking' member away from said intermediate!and'loclred 'positions when saidlo'cking member is:inlunlockedposition and to urge said lever in a Adirection to move saidloclrfing'membertoward saidint'ermediat'e land locked positions upon said locking member reaching" a point between said unlocked' pos-itionand said .interrl'le'd-iateposition I during movement from unlocked" position toward'locled position.

1'7. Apparatus for locking adoor latch mecha'- nisrn; having; adoor'latched position and ai door unlatched position', against release from door lat'ched position comprising, releasable means for non-yieldingly'maintaining the latch mechanism in said latchedposition, a locking member supported for movement between a locked position and: an unlocked position, said looking member when in unlocked position permitting release of said door latch mechanism from' non-yielding door-latched position and when in locked position preventing release of said door latch mechanism from said door latched position, manually operable means for selectively7 positioning said locking member in either of said two positions, means for holding said locking member out of locked position when said latch mechanism is in door` unlatched position, vand means, effective when said lockingr member is held out of locked position, for automatically movinr said l'ockiner memberinto locked position upon movement of said' latch mechanism into door latched position.

1S. In a-door control mechanism, a latch unit supported for movement between a doorlatched position, a secondary latched-position and a door unlatched'positicn, means for releasably holdingr said latch `unit in door latchedlposition,` means for' releasably holding'saidlatch unit in said secondary latched position, locking means for preventing release of saidlatch unit from door latohed position, said locking means havinga latch unlocliedposition and a latch locked position, means effective when said latch unit is in said'secondary 'latched position or in said door unlatched position for holdingsaid locking means out of latch locked positionl in an intermediate position, and means, effective when said lockinssmeans is in saidintermediate position, for moving saidlo'sking' means from said intermediateposition into said'lock'edposition upon movement of'said latch unit into door latched position.

191 In a door control mechanism, a .latch unit supported for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a positive detent adapted releasably to hold said latch unit in door latched position. said detenthavinf: ar latch' holdin? position in which said .latch unit is positively blocked against unlatching movement and also a latch released position. means for'actuating said detent to release said latch unit from door latched position, lockingr means :for preventing release of said latch unit from door latched position, means for automatically moving said locking means into locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position, and manually operable control means for selectively rendering said automatic means effective or ineffective to move said lookin? means into locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

' 2l); In a door control mechanism, a support, a movable latch unit carried by said support for movementbetweenfa door latched. position andra doorh unlatched position,1.spring; means: for urs.- ingv said'latchfunitat allftimesctoward said door unlatched position, a pivotally movableV detent adapted releasably'tomaintain said'latchunit in door latched positionfa-nd'havinga latch released position and. a latch` holding positiom, am outer manually.' operable'rdetent-release lever pivotally mounted on' said support and operable to f move said 1 detent from said latch'holding; position to said' latch' releasedf position,v locking.: means engageable with .said` release'lever for vblocking the same and 1 thereby preventing movementL of. said detent? to releasosaidv latch' unit', said'y locking means having; ailatchv unlocked: position and, a latch locked position, vmeans effective when" said latch unit is fout'of ldoorlatched position for' holding said lockingmeans out of latch' locked posi'- tion in an intermediatev position,y and means effective AwhenfY said" locking meansis. in a saidintermediate position formoving; saidlocking: means from z saict. intermediate position` into lsaid locked position upon movement/:ofi said .latchrA unit. into dor'latched position.

21. In-.a door` control mechanism. afsupport, i a movable latch unit" carried by' said supporte for movement betweerna` door latchedzposition andfa door:unlatchedfposition, springimeans forxurging saidlatch .unit at'fall times towardisaid doorfunlatchedv position,v a pivotally movable" datent adapted'releasablytomaintain .said latch unit in door latched position'andhaving a" latch released position andra latchholding-position, an outer manuallyfoperable i detent' release lever. pivotally mounted on said` support andi' operable s tor move said*y detent fromsaidlateh holding positionto said latchlreleels'ed.position; saidd'etent andisaid release'leverbeingpivotally mount'e'don saidsupportY to swin'g about' af common pivotal .axis;,lc|'ok' ing'me'an's for preventing' release'oftsaidilatch uniti for movement by said spring' means: from door 'latched position: todoor 'onlatchedpositiom said' locking 'means having ia: latch unlockedipositionV and a latch lockenfposition,.meanszeflectlve when said'llatoh unit visv` out' of door'ilatched'zposttion for holding saldilocking"meansTout'oitl latch locked position 1 irri an".z intermediate". position;l and means effectivek when. said locking means'lsin s'a'id'- intermediate` positionkfor moving'said :locking means' from said intermediate positioninto said looked position .uponm'ovement of: saidrlateh Limit intol door. lat'chedpostion;

22.v In a1 door; control meelianism; a: suppoma movable' latch'` unit.'I carried'; byv said supportiy for movement' between a" doorla'tchedr position anda door: unlatched=` position; spring means'y fonurging saidrlaitoh` unitiatall timesA toward said: door unlatched position', a'. pivotally' movable detent adapted releasably to maintain'said latchun'it in door'latcliedpositlon and having ra' latch released position and a' latch' holdin'g'p'osition, an outer manually 'operable f deten't' release-f: lever plvot'ally mounted on said support and operable to move said detentfrom-said' latch holding position-to said. latch released' position, lockingi'means engageable with saidi release .lever'fo'r blocking: the same and thereby preventing movement ofi said detentA to release saldi latch' unit, said. locking means having' a latch unlockedl position and a latch locked position1 means' on saidrrelease lever effective when saidvv latch" unit is out of' door latched positionfor holding said locking means out of' latchlocked position" in-an intermediate position, and means effective when said'lock'ing meanslisin said intermed'iateposition for' movpostionzinto saidiiockd positioniuponimovementl offsaiddatchr-Junit-into.fcloonlatchedposition:v

23:*- Iniadoorfcontrolimechanism, afsupport; ai' movable `i.1atol:i .':unit carried fby ffsaid :support l for movementhetweenlv aldoor.-latohed` positioni and 1aI doorunlatc'hedl position;` springmeans .for urgf ing-2 sai'dllatch .unitiatalll times toward saidv "door". unlatched position; .arlvpivota-llyrfmovablei detent. adaptedireleasablyto maintainfsaidu latch unitrini doorllatched position*andfhavingarlatch'releasedff position and iaflatch holdii'igposition, anffouter manuallyfoperable detent :releaseY lever .1 pivotally mounted oni:` said support? and operable 1 oo-"mover: said detent-from'.saidilatchfholding .position ytofsaidav latch .released f position3llocklngl meansvf engage# able rwithv said -release ylever 'for block-ingfth'esamef andztherebypreventingzmovement ruf-"said detentfl to =re1ease1 saidtlatch unitzfsaidilocking meanshavr f ing-'alrlatchf'unlocked posi-.tion and anlatchf locked? position, f. means-*effe ctifv'e i whenf said 'latch" unit4 is 1 outy` ofi' door latchedipositionV for.' holding-v said* locking fm'eans i outf vvofA ila-tch" lockedpositionfin anti intermediateposition, and 'spring meansoeectiver when said locking-:means is? finfsa-id. intermediate.:

position for moving said locking means from said ntermediate:=positiorrinto said locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latchedrposition 24. In a :doorffcontrol.mech'anismasupport a movable..latch unit carried bysaid support, fore movement between a door latched positioniand a doorunlatched position, springmeans forHur-ging said 'latch unit at' all' times towardsaid door unlatched position', aV pivt'ntally.` movable detent adaptedreleasably't maintai'risaid latchlunit in door :latched position Yand vhavingalatchireleased position" and "a" latch*h'oldi`rig position, aniouter manually; operable detent releaseV` lever pivotally mounted *on;.said"`support` and "operable to move said *detentfrommsaid latch holding positionto saidlatchreleased position; saiddetent andfsaid rel'e'aselever being pivotally mounted on said .sup-` portto swin'g'about a common pivotal axis, locking means for preventing relase'ofsaid latch unit for movement by said spring-1, means from.:y doorr latched-.position to door unlatched.=.position, .said lockingemeans having'a Alatchunlocked .position anda latch locked position, means onsaid release lever eiective when said latch unit is out of door z latched position for holding said locking vmeans out of latch locked position in an intermediate position, and spring means effective when said locking means is in said intermediate position for moving said locking means from said intermediate position into said locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

25. In a door control mechanism, a latch unit supported for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a movable detent adapted releasably to maintain said latch unit in door latched position and having a latch released position and a latch holding position, means for actuating said detent to release said latch unit from door latched position, said last mentioned means and said detent being swingable about a common pivot axis, locking means for preventing release of said latch unit from door latched position, manually operable means for selectively moving said locking means into and out of a locked position in which release of said latch unit from door lat-ched position is prevented, means for engaging and blocking said locking means against movement into locked position when said latch unit is in door unlatched position,

unit. inf. door :latchediposition4 andi having' a'latch re'leasedrposition.andzra latch holding position;

meanseforf 'actuating said` `detent `to release fsaid` latch .unit fromf door latchedtposition said'flast mentionedi meansrincluding a member'iswingable.l with sai'ddete'nt about ai'commonpivot axis;locl:-`

ing: .means or.` preventing release of said 'latch-.1

unitffr'om. door latched .position, manuallyopereable: 'means :for selectively Nvmoving".I saidlocking: means intoandfout of fa flocked positionfiniiwhicli:A release' of. said'latchunit from door. latchedfposi'.- i tionis prevented, meansifor engagingand blocks:- ing` said. 'lockin'g means :against movement; into'; locked position' whensaidrlatch-z unitis in door.. unlatched" position;y said blocking." means fbeing'r renderedineifecti've upon movement of lsaid latch 1 unit fromdoortunlatched toidoor latched-position,

i andfmeans; eiectiveiwhen saidlockingfmeans. is f engaged and blockedibysaid. blocking fmeans, for

automatically'fmovingii saidi locking."y means into: locked'positicnupon movementof said latch unit: into doorlatched position;

27.* Inadoor'control y`mechanism',. a latch :unit supported formovem'ent between Aafdoor. rlatchedl, position and ia door unlatched 'position,..a .positive` .v detentfadapted Vrelea-sably to. hold.isaid.latch"funit in? door Ilatched;position;A said. detent' having as.) latch holding "position in: .which Lsaidxlatch. unit:vr

ist' positively blockedtagainst.v unlatching ymovement and also a'flatch1releasediposition; meansiforV actuating `said detent to release. said. latch. unit" from. doorlatc'hed .r;position,..said 'last mentioned 1 means including af... member;A attached i. to i said .L

detent for movement .therewithabout .arcommon'x pivot axis,` lockingrmeansfor preventing-release of'.4

said/.latchunitf :fromdoonxlatchedipositiong. means zr for; 'automaticallymovingfsaidf locking meansdntor;

locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position, and manually operable control means for selectively rendering said automatic means effective or ineffective to move said locking means into locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

28. In a door control mechanism, a support, a movable latch unit carried by said support for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, a lever means mounted on a pivot stud aixed to said support and including a detent portion adapted releasably to maintain said latch unit in door latched position and having a latch released position and a latch holding position, said lever means having a rst part adapted to be engaged by outer manually operable means and a second part adapted to be engaged by inner manually operable means, both of said manually operable means being operable to move said detent portion from said latch holding position to said latch released position, locking means engageable with said lever means for blocking the same and thereby preventing movement of said detent portion to release said latch unit, said locking means having a latch unlocked Aposition and a latch locked position, means effec- 19 tive when said latch unit is out of door latched position for holding said locking means out of latch locked position in an intermediate position, and means effective when said locking means is in said intermediate position for moving said locking means from said intermediate position into said locked position upon movement of said latch unit into door latched position.

29. In a door control mechanism, a support, a pivotally movable latch unit carried by said support for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, said latch unit including a plate member having spaced safety and final locking steps. said safety locking step having less effective depth than the nal locking step, a lever swingably mounted on said support and having a detent -portion rigid therewith, said detent portion being releasably engageable with either of said locking steps to hold said latch unit in door latched position, said lever having at its outer edge a lateral flange engageable by an outer manually shiftable plunger adapted to swing said lever to move said detent portion from a latch holding position to a latch released position, said lever having a latch released position, an intermediate position when said detent portion is in engagement with said safety locking step, and a nal latch locked position when said detent yportion is in engagement with said nal locking step, locking means having a latch locked position and a latch unlocked position and engageable with said lever when the latter is in final latch locked position for blocking the same to thereby prevent movement of said detent portion out of holding position relative to said nal locking step, said lever when in said latch released position or said intermediate position having a portion thereof blocking movement of said locking means from its latch unlocked position to its latch locked position.

30. In a door control mechanism, a support, a pivotally movable latch unit carried by said support for movement between a door latched position and a door unlatched position, said latch unit including a plate member having spaced safety and final locking steps, said safety locking step having less effective depth than the nal locking step, a lever swingably mounted on said support and having a detent portion rigid therewith and also a blocking portion, said detent step, a locking lever pivotally mounted on said support and having a latch locked position and av latch unlocked position and also having a portion engageable with said blocking portion when said lever is in nal latch locked position for blockingV the same to thereby prevent movement of saidy detent portion out of holding position relative to said iinal locking step, said lever when in said latch released position or said intermediate posi-4 tion having a portion thereof booking movementv of said locking means from its latch unlocked position to its latch locked position.

JOHN H. ROETHEL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 506,665 Brown et al Oct. 17, 1893 1,544 960 Watts July 7, 1925 1,743,637 Taylor Jan. 14, 1930 1,937,520 Lightner Dec. 5, 1933 2,017 244 Gudmundsen Oct. 15, 1935 2,094,413 Schonitzer Sept. 28, 1937 2,146,379 Rediger Feb. 7, 1939 2,156,874 Schonitzer May 2, 1939 2 231 075 Lakin Feb. 11, 1941 2,301,221 Mar-ple NOV. 10, 1942 2,394,646 Wagner Feb. 12, 1946 2,480,688 Allen Aug. 30, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,569 Norway Mar. 4, 1913 25,596 Great Britain May 13, 1907