US2673757A - Take-up latching mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1948 I N VEN TOR.

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R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 'March 30, I954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1948 INVENTOR.

777d/7/VY51 March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 10, 1948 IN VEN TOR. 7% J22 w /z' 7''7'd/T/VEV-2 March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKEUP LATCHING MECHANISM 4 Slieets-Sheet 4 Filed March 10, 1948 Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM Rollo Marple, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Hancock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 10, 1948, Serial No. 14,090

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to latch mecha nisms, particularly adapted for use on automotive vehicles and more specifically provides latch mechanisms which may be generically characterized as comprising a keeper member which is retractable, in one direction, to enable a closing movement of an associated door without involving a movement of an associated bolt, and wherein, further, the bolt can be retracted so as to permit an opening movement of the door without involving movements of the keeper.

The present application is a continuation in part of applicants copending application, Serial No. 414,627, filed September 17, 1941, now Patent No. 2,450,052 dated September 28, 1948, and one of the two embodiments herein disclosed is specifically adapted for use in accordance with the coincidental locking system of said parent application.

Principal objects of the present invention are to provide latch mechanisms of the above generally indicated character, which are simple in construction, economical of manufacture, assembly, and installation, and which are reliable and efiicient in operation; to provide such latch mechanisms wherein the keeper mechanism is retractable to permit a closing movement of an associated bolt relative thereto, but blocks opening movements of said bolt, the bolt being retractable to permit the door to be opened; to provide such structures wherein the keeper is provided with means which continuously acts thereagainst in a door closing direction, and so imparts to the latch mechanism a takeup feature; and to generally improve the construction and arrangement of latch mechanisms for automotive as well as other uses.

With the above as well as other objects in view, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding.

parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section, showing one embodiment of the invention, applied to associated door and pillar members;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 4- -4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View corresponding to the lower portion of Fig. 6, but showing the latch elements in a partially released position;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a modification oi the invention;

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line Ill-J0 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line H--|l of Fig. 8;

Figs. 12 and 13 are operational views corresponding generally to Fig. 10, but showing the relative positions of the bolt and keeper elements in, respectively, the released and latched positions thereof; and,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of a further modification of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through '7, the pillar carries a chambered housing 22, which encloses a reaction member 24, a strut 26, a biasing spring 28, as-

.sociated with the strut 26, and a rotary keeper 30, having a series of equiangularly spaced teeth 3|. The members 24, 26, 28, and are arranged in the manner described more particularly in applicants application, Serial No. 307,645, filed December 5, 1939, now Patent No. 2,243,282, granted May 27, 1941. The strut 26 is supported, by means of a pin 32, which rides in a slightly elongated slot 34 in the strut 26, for bodily and swingable movement and functions in the closed position of the parts shown in Fig. 6 to prevent a counterclockwise or door releasing rotation of the keeper 30. The keeper 30 is rotatably mounted upon a pin 36, and pins 32 and 36 are both journaled in the respectively opposite walls of the housing 22.

The housing 22 also is provided with a pin 38, upon which a retractable safety catch 46 is mounted. The safety catch 40 is continuously urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of a hairpin spring 42, which surrounds the pin 38, but may be moved in a clockwise direction against the force of said spring, so as to allow the bolt 44 to pass thereover during a closing movement of the door.

In the closed position of the parts, the housing 22 is wedgingly received between an upper abutment 46, which is carried by the door, and the just-mentioned bolt 44, which is also carried by the door. In this position of the parts, the upper surface of the reaction member 24 wedgingly engages the lower surface of the abutment 46 and one of the teeth of the keeper 30 is wedged against the upper surface of the bolt 44.

The bolt 44 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 48, the opposite ends whereof are journaled in a housing 50, which projects from the rail SI of the door. The nose of the bolt projects upwardly through an opening provided in the upper wall of the housing 50 and is normally retained in a projected position by means of a pair of toggle links 52 and 54. The inner ends of links 52 and 54 are pivotally interconnected by means of a pin 56. The outer end of link 52 is pivotally connected to the bolt 44 by means of a pin 58, and the other end of the link 54 is pivotally connected to the housing 50 by means of a pin 60. The ends of the pin 60 are journaled in the housing 50 and the toggle levers are normally urged to the position shown in Fig. 6' by means of a spring 62, which is wound around the pin 60', and the respectively opposite ends whereof bear against the housing 50 and the lever 54.

The pin 50 also forms a ivotal bearing for a safety lever 64, which is disposed to have swinging movement relative to the toggle levers 52 and B4. The upper end 60 of the safety lever 64 lies below and in spaced blocking relation to the bolt 44 when the parts are in the fully closed position of Fig. 6, and is effective, as appears in Fig. 7, b prevent the bolt 44 from being rocked far enough to fully release the door.

In order to fully release the bolt 44 from holding engagement with the keeper member 3a, the present structure employs a lever III, which is pivotally secured, by means of a rivet 12 to the inner face of the mounting plate I4. The mounting plate I4 is secured to the rail 5| of the door, and carries the previously mentioned housing 56 and the abutment 46. The lower end of the lever I8 extends downwardly to a point in the rear of the housing 50, and the surface of the mounting plate 74 is provided with an opening adjacent such lower end. The lever 70 is provided with an offset I1, which projects through the opening for cooperation wtih a foot IS on lever 55. Thus, counterclockwise rocking movements of the lever 10, as viewed in Fig. 5, are transmitted to the safety lever 64 and cause clockwise rocking movements of the safety lever E4. These rocking movements are transmitted to the toggle levers 52 and 54 by means of a laterally turned foot 80 formed on the lever 54, and which lies in the path of movement of the safety lever 54.

The upper end of the lever 10 is laterally offset and extends through an opening 13, provided therefor in the rail of the door 5|, so that such upper end of the lever is disposed within the body of the door.

Preferably and as illustrated, the outside operator for actuating the lever 10 comprises a push button 09, which is received in a rubber grommet 92. The inner end of the shank 98 is laterally turned and projects through an opening provided therefor in the lever I0. The latter connection limits the outward movement of the push button 520 relative to the body of the door. as will be understood. The inside operator is also illustrated as comprising a push button I04, the surface whereof is exposed at the inner side I23 of the door. The push button I04 is carried at the end of a channel-shaped lever I00, which is pivotally mounted by means of a rivet I08. The rivet I08 is secured to the base IIO of an angle-shaped bracket II2, which is suitably secured within the body of the door. The other end of the lever I05 is provided with a nose II I, which engages behind a projection HS provided at the upper end of the previously mentioned lever HI. With this relation, it will be understood that a counterclockwise rocking movement of the lever I06, as viewed in Fig. 1, causes a counterclockwise rocking movement of the lever Ill, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. Upon release of the push button I94 at the inside of the door, or of the outside push button 90, the spring 52, associated with the toggle levers 52 and 54, becomes effective to straighten the toggle and restore the lever 10 to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which return movement also restores the push buttons and IE4 to their normal projected positions.

In order to render the push buttons and I 04 ineffective to rock the lever I0, the present construction employs a rockable lever 220, which is pivotally connected at one end by means of a rivet 22 to the flange I24 of the previously mentioned angle-shaped bracket I22. Additional guiding support for the lever 52s is aiiorded by a rivet I255, which is carried thereby rides in an elongated slot I23, provided in the flange IZ i. An over-center spring I33 is connected between the lever I20 and the bracket I22, and functions to releasably retain the lever I223 in either the unlocked position, shown in Fig. 2, or a lower locked position, in which the rivet I25 engages the lower end of the slot I28.

The lever I20 is provided with a downwardly extending foot I32, which in its lower or locked position, lies behind and in blocking relation to the previously mentioned upstanding projection M0 on the lever III.

The lever I20 may be moved between its locked and unlocked positions by means of an operating rod I34, associated therewith. In the broader aspects of the invention, the rod I34 may be variously controlled. For example, in using the present latch as a part of a coincidental locking system as disclosed and claimed in the aforesaid parent aplication, Serial No. 414,627, new Patent No. 2,450,052, the rod I34 for one door may be associated with looking and unlocking means responsive to key controlled means in the manner described in said parent application for the control of slide I28 thereof, for example, while the rods I34 for the other doors may respond to locking and unlocking magnets, such as the magnets I54 and I56 of Fig. 2 of said parent application, so as to provide for automatic control of the locking lever I20 from a remote station. Alternatively, each rod I34 may extend upwardly through the garnish molding of the associated door and be surmounted by a suitable operating button, so as to adapt the locking lever I20 for manual control.

Considering now the operation of the construction shown in Figs. 1 through 7, the parts are shown with the door in the fully closed positien, and with the locking lever I20 in the upper or unlocked position. Under these circumstances, the spring 20, associated with the strut 25, is effective to urge the latter in a clockwise direction. Any such clockwise movement of the strut 26 must be accompanied by a downward bodily movement thereof by virtue of the shape of the reaction surface 24a of the member 24, and any such downward movement of the strut 28 is effective to produce a corresponding clockwise rotation of the keeper 30. The strut 26 is, therefore, effective to positively prevent a counterclockwise or door opening movement of the keeper 30 and is at the same time effective to wedge the keeper 30 and the reaction member 24 between the bolt 44 and the upper abutment 46, thereby positively holding the door closed and urging it more fully closed, and also positively preventing vertical, rattling movements of the door. Any further closing movement of the door is, of course, immediately taken up by the just-mentioned ten dency of the strut 26 to cause a clockwise rotation of the keeper 30.

Assuming it is desired to open the door, either the outer push button 90 or the inner push button 904 may be depressed. Either such depressing movement rocks the lever I0 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, and the initial such movement is effective to break the toggle formed by the toggle levers 52 and 54. Unless the push button 90 or I04, as the case may be, is fully depressed, however, such movement of the lever I0 is not sufilcient to carry the upper end 66 of the safety lever I54 out of range of the lower end of the bolt 44. Instead, in the case of a partial depressing movement of the operated push button, the reaction of the door bumpers (not shown) may be suflicient to force the bolt 44 down to the position of Fig. 7, but further such movement is positively prevented by the lever 64. If, however, the lever 64 is rocked fully out of the way of the bolt 44, the latter may be rocked in a counterclockwise direction sufficiently far to enable the same to pass to the right below the keeper 30 and to correspondingly pass to the left and below the safety catch 40 (Fig. 6). This counterclockwise depressing movement of the bolt 44 is resisted only by the relatively light spring 62, associated with the toggle levers 52 and 54. If the operated push button 90 or I04, as the case may be, is released at the time when the bolt 44 occupies a position between the safety catch 48 and keeper 30, the spring 62 is immediately rendered effective to restraighten the toggle comprising the levers 52 and 54, and elevate the bolt 44 to the full holding position of Fig. 6. This straightening movement of the toggle levers 52 and 54 is transmitted to the safety lever 64 through the foot 80 and brings the latter to the holding positions shown in Fig. 6. Under these circumstances, the bolt 44 cannot pass beyond the safety catch 40 and the door is consequently held in the partially closed or safety position.

During a closing movement of the door, the bolt 44 moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, and in the course of this movement engages the safety catch 40. As previously stated, the catch 40 is retractable in a clockwise direction, and consequently yields and allows the bolt 44 to pass thereover into the space between the catch 40 and the keeper 30. As soon as the bolt 44 passes beyond the catch 40, the spring 42 associated therewith becomes effective to restore the latter to the projected position of Fig. 6, in which it is effective to prevent a reopening movement of the door except by operating the inside or the outside push button, as the case may be.

As the door closing movement continues, the lefthand face of the bolt 44 engages the righthand face of that one of the four equiangularly spaced teeth 3| of the keeper 30, which is projected through the lower endof the housing 22. This engagement applies a force to the keeper 30, tending to rotate the latter in aclockwise direc keeper 30 also brings the next successive tooth 3| thereof into engagement with the rear surface 440. of the bolt 44. The rocking movement of the bolt also causes the previously mentioned uppermost tooth 3I to pass beyond the end of the strut 26, at which time the spring 28, associated therewith, is enabled to restore the strut to the holding position of Fig. 6.

If, as aforesaid, the locking lever I20 is moved to the locked position, the foot I32 thereof assumes a position in which it blocks movement of the lever I0 and thus renders both the inside and outside push buttons I04 and ineffective. If this movement of the locking lever I20 occurs while the door is open, the just-described closing movement brings the resetting portion I38 of the lever I20 into camming engagement with the upper surface of the reaction member 24, which engagement is effective to restore the locking lever I20 to the unlocked position.

In adapting the latch structure of Figs. 1 through '7 for coincidental locking purposes, in accordance with the disclosure of said parent application, Serial No. 414,627, the present invention provides for the addition to the lower end of the lever I0 of a locking portion I40. The locking portion I40 projects downwardly through an opening I42 provided in the lower end of the previously mentioned bolt receiving housing 5t for cooperation with a locking lever !44 corresponding in function and arrangement to the locking lever 344 of said parent application. As before, the lever I44 is pivotally mounted upon the door pillar 20, by means of a pin I45, and when retracted, is received within a housing I46, also carried by such pillar. As before, also, the lever I44 is continuously biased to an unlocked position by means of a coil spring I50, and is provided with an actuating electromagnet I52. It will be understood, of course, that each door of the vehicle, which it is desired to include in the coincidental locking system, is provided with one of the locking assemblies comprising the electromagnet I52 and the locking lever I44, and also that, as shown, for example, in Fig. 26 of said parent application, Serial No. 414,627, now Patent No. 2,450,052, all such electromagnets may be arranged to be simultaneously energized and deenergized. It will also be evident that when the locking lever I44 is in its projected position, it lies in blocking relation to the locking portion I40 of the lever I0 and thereby renders both the inside and outside push buttons I04 and 90 ineifective.

In the embodiment of Figures 8 through 13, the pillar I50 carries a keeper assembly I62, which comprises a housing I64, a rotary keeper I66, a biasing strut I68, an associated spring W0, and a safety catch I12 biased by spring 42a, which elements are functionally related to each other much in the manner described with reference to keeper 30 and its associated elements, Figure 6. The housing I64 defines an upper dovetail surface I'I4 which in the latched condition of the parts, wedgingly engages the under side of an upper abutment I16, carried by the door IIB. In the embodiment now being described, the bolt I00 is a thickened, somewhat elongated body which projects out through the rail of the door, through registering openings I82 provided therefor in the door rail and in the base I84 of the latch plate. The opening I82 is large enough to permit a bodily movement of the bolt from the holding position of Figures 10 and 13 downwardly to the released position of Figure 12. In the holding position, it will be observed, Fig. 13, that the body of the bolt lies behind one of the teeth of the rotary keeper I66. The strut I68 associated with the keeper positively prevents a clockwise or door releasing movement of the latter. In the position of Figure 13, accordingly, the keeper I66 positively prevents a leftward or opening movement of the bolt and because of the continuous urging of strut I68, the keeper I86 in fact urges the bolt I80 in a rightward or door closing direction. Additionally, as before, the action of the keeper on the bolt, tends to urge the bolt and consequently the door, downwardly relative to the keeper and so wedges the keeper assembly between the bolt and the upper door carried abutment I16, thereby affording a dovetail action.

Continuing with the description of the latch structure, the bolt I80 is secured, as by rivets I83 to a supporting arm I86 which in turn is pivotally supported by a pin I68. The outer end of pin E88 is supported by the previously mentioned base I84 of the case plate and the inner end thereof is supported by a deck I90 which, in turn, is conventionally secured to the base I84 of the case plate, as by means of the turned over lugs I92.

In the latched position of the parts, shown in Figures 10 and 13, lever I85 is positively held in the latched position, by a late ally turned foot I94 on a generally triangular or three-legged release lever I96. Lever I95 is pivotally supported on a pin I98, the outer end whereof is supported by the previously mentioned upper door abutment I16, and the inner end whereof is supported by the deck I98. Spring 2623 is wound around the pin I98, one end of spring 268 being connected to a projection ISSa of lever I86, and the other end thereof being connected to the lever I86. It will thus be appreciated that spring 200 biases lever I86 in a counterclockwise or looking direction and also biases the release lever I96 in a counterclockwise direction, tending to bring the foot I94 thereof behind and in holding relation to the upper end portion I86a of lever i86.

The release lever I95 is adapted to be swung in a clockwise or releasing direction by operation of either an inside or an outside operator, and for this purpose is provided with the elongated legs 202 and 204. Leg 202 projects toward the inner panel I1'8a of the door I18, and at its end, is provided with a laterally turned foot 266, which normally lies beneath, and in operative relation to, a lever 208 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin 2). Pin 2I6 is supported at its ends, by the flange 2I2 of the case plate, and by a second conventionally secured deck 2I4. At its lower end, Figure 11, and as is indicated by the legend, lever 208 is adapted for connection to means leading to the usual inside door operator and it will be appreciated that to release the latch, lever 288 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11. This movement depresses the leg 202 and, consequently, rotates the release lever I86 in a clockwise direction, bringing the foot I94 above and out of range of the upper range of the bolt carrying lever I86. The latter action releases lever I88 and enables it to move to the position of Figure 12, against the comparatively light opposition of spring 200. Slight pressure on the door thus enables an opening movement thereof,. the bolt I80 being momentarily depressed as it passes over the keeper I66, and being again momentarily depressed as it passes the safety catch I12. After each such depressing movement, the bolt I80 is restored to the holding position by the spring 200.

As will be understood, at any time after the bolt I80 has cleared the safety catch, the inside lever 208 may be released, which action enables spring 200 to also restore the release lever I96 to the holding position of Figures 10 and 13, in which its foot I94 lies behind and in blocking relation to the bolt lever I86. If such release of the inside lever 208 takes place before the bolt I80 has passed the safety catch I12, the door is, of course, retained in the intermediate or safety position.

A corresponding door releasing action can be effected from the exterior of the door. More particularly, as shown in Figure 8, the outside handle 2I I is provided with a release trigger 2I2, pivotally supported in the handle by means of a pin 2 I 5. Trigger 2 I2 is provided with a rounded nose 2I6 which normally abuts the previously turned foot 204 on the release lever. Movement of the trigger thus rocks the release lever in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 10 and 13, in the same manner as does a movement of the inside lever 208.

Preferably and as illustrated, means are provided to render both the outside and inside operators 288 and 2I2 ineffective. This means is illustrated as comprising a locking pawl 2I8, Figures 10 and 11, which may be associated in any desired manner (not shown) with an externally available key station. Pawl 2I8 normally occupies the inactive position shown in Figure 11, which may be rocked in a counterclockwise direction to a position in which its upper end lies below and in blocking relation to the leg 202 of the release lever I96.

A closing movement of the door carries the bolt I60 to the right relative to the keeper structure as viewed in Figures 10, 12, and 13. Safety catch I12 is blocked against clockwise rotation, but subject only to the opposition of its biasing spring, is freely movable in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, during a closing movement, the bolt I80 is enabled to push past the safety catch I12. Similarly, while strut I68 positively blocks clockwise movement of keeper I66, it yieldingly permits counterclockwise movement thereof. Thus, bolt I 80 is enabled to rotate the keeper and pass thereby to the locked position of Figures 10 and 13.

The remaining modification, Figure 14, duplicates that of Figures 8 through 13, with the exception that the trigger 2I2 of Figure 8 is replaced by a push button 220, received in the outside handle 2 I I'. The inner and reduced end 222 of push button 220 cooperates with foot 204 on the release lever I96 in the previously described manner.

Although only several specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various modifications in the form, number, and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising keeper structure carried by one of said members and bolt structure carried by the other member, a keeper element and a cooperating bolt element, pivotal supporting means for each of said elements on their respective structures, the axes of said pivotal supporting means extending in a direction parallel to the plane of said door and pillar members whereby said keeper and bolt elements are rockingly supported by their respective structures for movement in a plane transverse to the plane of said door and pillar members, mutually coacting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements engageable when the door is in closed position, said surface portions being inclined with respect to the plane of said door and pillar members so as to form an acute angle therewith, said inclination being in a direction which will tend to further close said door by wedging action when said surface portions are urged toward each other with the door in closed position, second mutually coacting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements, said last-mentioned surface portions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rock the keeper element, said keeper element being retractable by the bolt in one direction so that the bolt can push past and behind the same during a closing movement of the door, take-up means engageable with said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the opposite direction and to urge it in said one direction, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper whereby to permit an opening movement of the door, and resilient means continuously urging said bolt to the projected position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said keeper holding means further comprises take-up means acting against said keeper element to cause it to urge said bolt and consequently said door in a door closing direction.

3. The structure of claim "1 wherein said keeper element is in the form of a rotary element having a plurality of teeth any one of which are cooperable with said bolt and said take-up means including cam means for biasing said keeper element in a direction to urge the door to a more fully closed position. y

4. rhe combinationaccording to claim 1, further provided with additional means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position and releasable upon actuation of said selectively operable means to permit retraction of the bolt, said additional means including a release lever normally in the path of retracting movement of said bolt, said selectively operable means including inside and outside operators, said release lever being movable by initial movement of said operators an insufficient amount to carry said release lever from said path, and means for carrying said re-' lease lever out of said bolt path upon continued movement of either of said operators.

5. In a latch for a vehicle having a door mem-- her and a cooperating pillar member with a keeper means carried by one of said members, the combination of a. movable bolt carried by the other of said members, toggle means connected to the bolt and effective when straightened to positively prevent a releasing movement of the bolt, manually operable means for breaking said toggle, a lever movable between a blocking position in the path of movement of said bolt and a retracted position out or" said path of movement, and means for supporting said lever for movement with said toggle means, said lever being in the path of movement of said manually operable means when said toggle is unbroken or partially broken and being out of said path of movement when said toggle is fully broken. j

,6, In a latch for a vehicle having a door member and a cooperating pillar member, a keeper element and a cooperating bolt element, pivotal supportingmeans for each of said elements on their respective structures, the axes of said pivotal supporting means extending in a direction parallel to the plane of said door and pillar members whereby said keeper and bolt elements are rockingly supported by said door and pillar members for movement in a plane transverse to the plane of said door and pillar members, mutually coacting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements engageable when the door is in closed position, said surface portions being inclined with respect to the plane of said door and pillar members so as to form an acute angle therewith, said inclination being in a direction which will tend to further close said door by wedging action when said surface portions are urged toward each other with the door in closed position, toggle means connected to the bolt and effective when straightened to positively prevent retraction of the bolt, a safety member adjacent said toggle means, said safety member being movable between a first position obstructing retraction of said bolt and a second position clear of said bolt, and selectively operable means cooperable with said toggle means during a first portion of its movement to partially break the toggle, and cooperable with said safety member during a second portion of its movement in the same direction to move the safety member to its second position, said toggle being fully broken during said second portion of movement of said selectively operable means.

7. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising a bolt structure and a reaction element carried by one of said members and keeper structure carried by the other of said members and adapted to be wedged between said bolt structure and said reaction element when the door is closed, said keeper structure comprising an element having a pivotal support, mutually co-acting surface portions on said bolt and said keeper element, said surface portions being engageable when the door is being closed at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rock the keeper element in a direction such that the bolt can push past and behind the keeper element, means engageable with said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the opposite direction, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper and permit an opening movement of the door, resilient means continuously urging said bolt to the projected position, and additional means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position, said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safety position blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position and a retracted position permitting such movement, said element being supported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement of said selectively operable means serving to carry said element through its safety position, continued movement of said selectively operable means causing said element to move from its safety position to its retracted position.

ture carried by th Other member, mutually coacting surface portions onsaid bolt and keeper structures, said surface, portions being inclined with respect to theplane of said door and pillar members so as to form an acute angle therewith,

said inclination being in a direction which will ally (so-acting surface portions on said bolt and keeper structures, said last-mentioned surface portions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper support to rock the keeper so that the bolt can push past and behind the same during closing movement of the door, means engageable with said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the opposite direction, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper and permit an opening movement of the door, resilient means continuously urging said bolt in the projected position, and additional means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position, said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safety position blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position and a retracted position permitting such movement, said element being supported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement of said selectively operable means serving to carry said element through its safety position, continued movement of said selectively operable means causing said element to move from its safety position to its retracted position.

9. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising keeper structure carried by one of said members and bolt structure carried by the other member, a keeper element and a cooperating bolt element, pivotal supporting means for each of said elements on their respective structures, the axes of said pivotal supporting means extending in a direction parallel to the plane of said door and pillar members whereby said keeper and bolt elements are both movable in a direction transverse to the plane of said door and pillar members, mutually co-acting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements, said surface portions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rock the keeper element in one direction so that the bolt can push past and behind the same during a closing movement of the door, means engageable with said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the opposite direction, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper and permit an opening movement of the door, resilient means continuously urging said bolt in the projected position. and safety means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position, said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safety position blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position and a retracted position permitting such movement, said element being supported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement of said selectively operable means serving to carry said element through its safety position, continued movement of said selectively operable means causing said element to move from its safety position to its retracted position.

10. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising a bolt structure and a reaction element carried by one of said members and keeper structure carried by the other of said members and adapted to be wedged between said bolt structure and said reaction element when the door is closed, said keeper structure comprising a keeper element, a pivotal support for said keeper element, mutually co-acting surface portions on said keeper element and said bolt structure, said surface portions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rock the keeper element, said keeper element being retractable by the bolt in one direction so that the bolt can push past and behind the same during a closing movement of the door, holding means engageable with said keeper element to prevent return movement thereof after said retracting movement, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper and permit and opening movement of the door, resilient means continuously urging said bolt to the projected position, and safety means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position, said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safety position blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position and a retracted position permitting such movement, said element being supported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement of said selectively operable means serving to carry said element through its safety position, continued movement of said selectively operable means causing said element to move from its safety position to its retracted position.

11. In a latch, a movable bolt adapted to be moved between a projected position and a retracted position, toggle means operatively connected to said bolt and effective when straightened to hold said bolt in its projected position, an actuator adjacent said toggle and movable into engagement with said toggle to break the toggle, a safety lever pivotally mounted for movement with said toggle, said lever being movable between a safety position in which the outer end of said lever is adjacent said bolt and a retracted position in which said outer end is away from said bolt, the position of said lever when in its safety position being such as to prevent movement of said bolt to its retracted position, said lever being in its safety position when said toggle is unbroken or partially broken and in its retracted position when said toggle is fully broken.

ROLLO MARPLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,184,498 Wells May 23, 1916 2, 50 Wells Oct. 9, 1917 1,339,492 Belden May 11, 1920 1,459,701 Willis W June 19, 1923 1,488,350 Kikta Mar. 25, 1924 2,012,341 Eras H Aug, 2'7, 1935 2,047,401 Whitted July 14, 1936 2,189,992 Pearce Feb. 13, 1940 2, 24,512 Endter Dec. 10, 1940 2,235,117 Rightmyer Mar. 18, 1941 2,243,282 Marple May 27, 1941 2,276,325 Marple Mar. 17, 1942 2,303,027 Curtiss, Jr Nov. 24, 1942 2,310,550 Roethel Feb. 9, 1943 2,421,511 Roethel Sept. 16, 1947 2.47.9;921 Gander Aug. 23, 1949 2,494,754 Goughnour Jan. 17, 1950 2,469,045 Endter Sept. 25, 1951

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