US2737406A

US2737406A - Door latch

Info

Publication number: US2737406A
Application number: US315483A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glen E Brookbank
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1952-10-18
Filing date: 1952-10-18
Publication date: 1956-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1973-03-06

Description

United States Patent DOOR LATCH Glen E. Brookbank, Rochester, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application October 18, 1952, Serial No. 315,483

16 Claims. (Cl. 292-65) The present invention relates to fastening devices and particularly to fastening devices which have latch means for releasably fastening panels or doors such as are employed on the luggage compartments of buses.

It is highly desirable that the latch mechanism employed for locking the panel or door on the luggage compartment of a bus produce a rattle free and dust tight seal when the door is secured to the surrounding stationary wall structure. In a latch mechanism which employs a screw it is possible to draw the door into tight engagement with the stationary wall structure and thereby produce a tight seal. However, it is generally necessary to use a separate or detachable tool for turning the screw during the operation of such a latch. This is inconvenient since the tool frequently becomes lost and in addition it is generally kept a considerable distance from the latch mechanism. Thus it is apparent that the opening of the luggage compartment will be delayed until the operator obtains the necessary tool. Moreover, to secure the present latches to the movable panel or door structure, it is necessary to drill several holes through the panel to allow the latch to be riveted or otherwise secured thereto.

It is proposed to provide a latch mechanism which may be installed on a panel or door by drilling a single hole through the door and then manually pushing the latch mechanism into said hole. In addition, the latch mechanism, which may be actuated by the application of a pushing or pulling force, will contain a spring adapted to retain the door in tight engagement with the surrounding wall structure.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a latch mechanism embodying the present invention, wherein said latch,

mechanism is shown in its locked position.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing the latch mechanism in the unlocked position.

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially along the plane 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the latch mechanism 1 may be mounted upon a movable panel or door 2. The door 2, which may be hinged on a stationary panel or wall 4, is adapted to close the entrance 6 to the luggage compartment 8 by swinging into engagement with the offset portion 10 of wall 4. When the door 2 is in engagement with portion 10, it may be secured thereto by manually pushing on the latch 1 until it is actuated to the closed position. This will cause the door 2 to be resiliently forced against the portion 10 with enough pressure to create a dustproof seal therebetween. By pulling on the latch 1 it will be moved to the open position, thus releasing the door 2.

The latch mechanism 1 may contain a member 12 having an elongated cylindrical shank 14. One end of the shank 14 has a stud 16 of reduced diameter projecting therefrom while the other end is provided with shoulder ice means 18. Beyond the shoulder means 18 is an enlarged end 20. Between the shoulder 18 and end 20 is an indented recess 22 that extends circumferentially around the shank 14. The enlarged end 20 includes a cylindrical portion 24 having a shape similar to that of the shank 14 but of increased diameter and also a surface 26 which is tapered to form a relatively blunt point 28.

A plurality of elongated links 30 may be slidably positioned about the member 12. To facilitate movement of the links 30 along the member 12, it has been found advisable to provide them with an arcuate cross-sectional shape, as can best be seen in Figs. 2 and 4. Each link 30 has an enlarged end 32 that will overhang the shoulder 18 and extend into the annular recess 22. To reinforce the enlarged ends 32, they may be formed around short, arcuate pieces of wire 34. As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the ends 32 will form a generally circular shape when the links 30 are positioned on the member 12. The ends 32 will be closest together and have a minimum outside diameter when they rest in annular recess 22. However, when the links 30 slide axially along the member 12, the enlarged ends 32 will engage the shoulder 18 and be spread apart until they are located on the shank 14 of the member 12. This will give the enlarged ends 32 a maximum outside diameter which is greatly increased over the minimum outside diameter. The opposite ends of the links are bent outwardly to form seats 38. A supporting members 40 may be provided to enclose the latch mechanism 1 and facilitate mounting it on the door 2. The supporting member 40 comprises a tube 42 having a radially inwardly extending flange 44 formed on one end thereof. The flange is constructed so as to produce an aperture 46 which is adapted to guide the member 12 and links 30 as they slide therethrough. The aperture 46 should be large enough to permit the links 30 to be displaced from the member 12 when the enlarged ends 32 are expanded by passing over the shoulder 18, but small enough to engage the enlarged ends 32 when they are seated in the recess 22 and thus normally prevent the ends 32 passing through the aperture 46. To facilitate assembling and disassembling the'latch 1, the aperture 46 may be just large enough to permit the links 30 and member 12, when the enlarged ends 32 are forced down into the recess 22, to be manually forced through the aperture 46.

One end of a helical spring 48, which surrounds the links 30 and member 12, engages the flange 44. The other end of the spring rests in the seat 38 formed on the ends of links 30 and exerts a force that tends to move the links 30 axially along the member 12. When the spring 48 is compressed, the tension will be great enough to cause the enlarged ends 32 to be drawn up and over the shoulders 18.

To provide a convenient means for operating the latch mechanism 1, the end of the member 12 may be equipped with a knob 50 comprising a disk 52 and a sleeve 54. The disk 52 is secured to the end of the member 12 by placing the disk 52 on the stud 16 and upsetting the end thereof so as to rivet the disk 52 to the member 12. The sleeve 54 is secured to the disk 52 by any suitable means, such as welding, so that it is free to telescope with the exterior of the support tube 42. If the sleeve 54 is secured to the disk 52 radially inwardly of its outer edge, a small flange 56 will be provided which will furnish a better grip.

To assemble the latch mechanism 1 the links 30 are placed on the member 12 with the enlarged ends 32 in the annular recess 22. The spring 48 is then placed around the member 12 and the links 30 so that one end rests in the seat 38. 'The enlarged end 20 of the member 12 is then inserted through aperture 46 in flange 44. It the operator then exerts enough force on the knob it is possible to force the member 12 and links 30 through aperture as, provided'the enlarged ends 32 remain in the recess 22. Whenthe late-h 1 has been'assembled'the spring will be positioned between the flange 44 and seat 38 so as to urge the flange 44 and ends 32 into engagement. Since it requires an abnormally large force to pass the enlarged ends 32 through aperture 46, the'latch will remain in the assembled condition. As an alternative method of con-. struction the links 30 may first beplacedin aperture 46 with the spring 48 in position. The. member 12 is then inserted through the links and the member 52 secured thereto by riveting over end 16 of member 12. This method'of assembly permits the aperture 46 to be small enough to' prevent the enlarged ends 32 of links 30 passing therethrough.

Once the latch mechanism has been assembled it may be secured to the door 2', The door 2 hasan aperture 58 therethrough', which is substantially the same size as the aperture 46. This will allow the, latch 1, when in the open position, to be secured to door 2 by extending the end 20 of the member 12 through aperture 53 and pushing on the knob 50. The links and member 12 will then pass through the aperture 53 in the same manner that it passed through aperture 46; To provide a more permanent installation, it may be found advisableto make aperture 53 too small to permit the enlarged ends 32 of links 31') to pass therethrough. If this is done, a method similar to the above described alternative method may be employed to install the latch. First the supporting member M) is placed on door 2 and the links 30 are inserted through

apertures

46 and 58 with spring 48 in position. The member 12 is then inserted therethrough and the member 52 riveted thereto. Since the. enlarged ends 32 can not pass through apertures 46. and 58 it will not be possible to remove the latch.withoutdisassembling it.

Assuming the door is in the open positionas, seen in Fig. 3 and it is desired to lock the door in the closed position, the operator pushes on. the knob. 50. When the. door swings into engagement with tl eoifset portion 13, the force applied to the knob 50 will cause the cylindrical member 12 to slide axially through the,

apertures

58 and 46 in the door 2 and the flange 44 of the tubular supporting member and into. aperture 60 in oflset portion 10. Aperture 60 is large enough to permit the enlarged ends 32 to pass therethrough when they are in recess 22. However, aperture dtl is also small enough to prevent ends 32. passing therethrough when, they are in engagement withv with the member 12 through aperturefitl. It should be noted that when the links3il-are carried with themember he Spring 48 will bev compressed. At some point after the enlarged ends 32 ofthe links 30 have passed through the aperture 60, the, spring 48 will be compressed sufilciently to cause the ends, 32 to slideout of the recess 22 and over the shoulder 18. This will expand the enlarged ends 32 and leave. the links 30 free to slide along the shank 14 of the member 12 until said enlarged ends engage the portion 10. Since the enlarged ends 32 are spread to their maximum diameter, they will not be free to pass, through the aperture 60. and consequently they will engage the offset portion 19. The spring 48 will continue to urge the links 30 along the member, but since the ends 32 are engaging portion, 1!), the spring action will cause the door 2 to be, drawn tightly against the offset portion 10.

When the door 2 is locked'in the, closed position as seen inFig, l. and it is desired to open said 10 51116, operator pulls the. knob awayfrom, the door 2. Theknob- 50 will thentelescopingly slide out along the tubular support member. 42. carrying the cylindrical member 12;? with it. As long. as the enlarged ends 32, of the links 30 rest on the shank 14 of the cylindrical member 12, they will engage the portion. 10.. Therefore, theywill remain station, ary as the cylindrical, memhen 12 is. drav in; through, apart ture 60. However, when the cylindrical member 12 is almost completely withdrawn from said aperture 69, the enlarged ends 32 will pass over the shoulder 18 and drop into the annular recess 22, thereby permitting said enlarged ends 32 and the cylindrical member 12 to pass freely through the aperture 60. Since the enlarged ends 32 can no longer engage the offset portion 10 there is nothing to retain the door 2 in position and thus said door can swing open.

While but one embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in numerous other specific forms than that described without departing from the spirit thereof. it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to determine thescope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardly extending flange forming an aperture, a cylindrical member disposed within said aperture, an annular indented shoulder formed in said member ad jacent one end thereof, a disk mounted on the other end of said member-and having a sleeve secured thereto in telescoping relationship with said supporting tube, a link havingan enlarged end overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide into and out of engagement therewith, and springmeans engaging said flange and said link and being adapted to urge said support into engagement with said enlarged end, said aperture being large enough to permit said enlarged end to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring forcing-said enlarged end through said aperture.

2. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardly extending flange forming an aperture, cylindrical member disposed within said aperture and having an enlargedend tapered to form a blunt point, an annular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent said enlarged end, a disk on the other end of said member having a sleeve attached thereto in telescoping relationship with said supporting tube, a link having an enlarged end adapted to slide into and out of engagement with said shoulder, and a spring engagingsaid supporting tube and saidlink and tending to urge said supporting tube toward the enlarged end of said link, said aperture being large enough to permit the enlarged end of said link being displaced from engagement with said indented shoulder but small enough to, prevent said spring forcing said larged end of said link through said, aperture.

3. A fastening device comprising a first panelhaving an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an a erture positioned to register, with, said first aperture when. said panels are, in engagement, a member disposed in one of said apertures and having an indented shoulder thereon, a link having anenlarged end overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide into and out of engagement with said shoulder, and a spring-engaging saidlink and adapted to urge said enlarged endinto engagement with one of said panels, one of said apertures being large enough to permit the passage therethrough of said enlarged end when said enlarged end and said shoulder are in engagement but being-small enough to prevent thepassage therethrough of said enlarged end whensaid enlarged end and said shoulderare notin engagement, the size of the other of said apertures. being small enough to normally prevent said spring from, forcing said enlarged end through said aperture.

4.. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture. therethrough, said apertures being adapted to register with each other when said panels are in engagement,

a cylindrical member; disposed 011 of said apertures,

aid: membe ha ng, a nnu a nflamed h de ads jacent one end thereof, a plurality of links slidably disposed on said member and having enlarged ends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide into and out of engagement therewith, and a spring engaging said links and being adapted to urge said enlarged ends into engagement with one of said panels, one of said apertures being large enough to permit the passage therethrough of said enlarged ends when in engagement with said shoulder but being small enough to prevent the passage therethrough of said enlarged ends when not in engagement with said shoulder, the size of the other of said apertures being small enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

5. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture positioned to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a cylindrical member disposed in one of said apertures and having an annular indented shoulder adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of links having enlarged ends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide into and out of engagement therewith so as to displace a portion of said links from said cylindrical member, and a spring surrounding said links and said member and being adapted to urge said enlarged ends into engagement with one of said panels, one of said apertures being large enough to permit the passage therethrough of said enlarged ends when said enlarged ends and said shoulder are in engagement but small enough to prevent the passage therethrough of said enlarged ends when said enlarged ends and said shoulder are not in engagement, the size of the other of said apertures being large enough to permit said enlarged ends to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring forcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

6. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture adapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a support member having an aperture therethrough registering with the aperture in said second panel, a cylindrical member adapted to be slidably disposed in one of said apertures and having an annular indented shoulder thereon, a link slidably disposed on said member and having an enlarged end overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to move into and out of engagement therewith so as to separate a portion of the link from the cylindrical member, and a spring engaging said link and said support member and being adapted to urge said enlarged end into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they are in engagement and when they are out of engagement, and the apertures in the second panel and said supporting member being large enough to permit said enlarged end to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged end through said aperture.

7. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough, said aperture being adapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a supporting member having an aperture therethrough registering with the aperture in said second panel, a cylindrical member slidably disposed in one of said apertures, said member having an annular indented shoulder formed adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of links having enlarged ends thereon adapted to slide into and out of engagement with said shoulder so as to displace a portion of the links from the cylindrical member, and a spring surrounding said links and said member and engaging said support and said links, said spring being adapted to urge said enlarged ends into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged ends and said shoulder when they are in engage- 6. ment and when they are out of engagement, and the aper tures in said second panel and said supporting member being large enough to permit said enlarged ends to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring forcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

8. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which is adapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a supporting member on said second panel and having an aperture therethrough registering with the aperture in said second panel, a member slidably disposed in one of said apertures and having an indented shoulder adjacent one end thereof, a knob secured to the other end of said member, a link on said last mentioned member and having an enlarged end adapted to engage said shoulder and ride thereover and cause a portion of said link to be displaced from said last mentioned member, and a spring engaging said link and supporting member and being adapted to urge said enlarged end into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they are in and out of engagement, and the apertures in the second panel and said supporting member being large enough to permit said portion of said link to be displaced from engagement with said last mentioned member but small enough to prevent said spring forcing said enlarged end through said aperture.

9. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which is adapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a supporting tube having an inwardly extending flange forming an aperture which registers with the aperture in said second panel, a member slidably disposed in at least one of said apertures, an annular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent one end thereof, a disk on the other end of said member, a sleeve secured to said disk whereby it is telescopingly disposed about said support ing tube, a link slidably engaging said member and having an enlarged end, said end being adapted to move into and out of engagementwith said shoulder so as to displace a portion of said link from said member, and a spring engaging said link and the flange on said tube whereby said spring is effective to urge said enlarged end into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they are in engagement and when they are out of engagement, and the apertures in the second panel and said supporting tube being large enough to permit said enlarged end to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged end from passing through said apertures.

10. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which is adapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a supporting tube having an inwardly projecting flange forming an aperture which registers with the aperture in said second panel, a cylindrical member slidably disposed in one of said apertures and having an enlarged end that is tapered to a blunt point, an annular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent said enlarged end, a disk on the other end of said member having a sleeve secured thereto in telescoping relationship with said supporting tube, a plurality of links slidably disposed on said member and having enlarged ends adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said shoulder so as to displace a portion of said links from said member, a spring engaging said flange and said links disposed and being adapted to urge said enlarged ends on said links into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged ends on saidtlinks' and said shoulder when they are in engagement andwhen-they are out of engagement, andthe apertures in said second panel and said support tube being large enough to permit the enlarged ends on said links to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged ends through said apertures.

11. Looking means comprising a first panel having an aperture therethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which is adapted to register with said first aperture when said panelsare in engagement, a supporting member abutting said second panel and having an aperture positioned to register with the aperture in said second panel, an elongated member disposed inside of said supporting member, said elongated member having a shank slidably disposed in the apertures through said second panel and said supporting member with one end extending outwardly from said second panel, said elongated member having an annular recess forming a shoulder adjacent said end, a plurality of links slidably disposed on the exterior of said shank, said links having enlarged ends positioned to seat in said recess and ride over said shoulder onto said shank so as to displace a portion of said links from said shank, the aperture. in said first panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged ends and said shank when said enlarged ends are positioned on said shank and when they are seated in said recess, and the apertures in said second pane] and said supporting member being large enough to permit the enlarged ends on said links to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to normally prevent said ends from passing through said apertures, and a spring seated on said supporting member for normally biasing said enlarged ends against said second panel for retaining said supporting member on said second panel.

12. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperture therethrough, a member having a shank slidably disposed within said aperture and having an inented shoulder therein adjacent one end thereof, a link slidably disposed on said shank and having an enlarged end overhanging said shoulder, said enlarged end being adapted to slide over said shoulder onto said shank, and a spring positioned between said support and said link to thereby urge said support into engagement with said enlarged end of said link, said aperture being small eno h to prevent said enlarged end from passing through said aperture when disposed on said shoulder and subjected to the Working forces applied thereto but being large enough to permit said shank and said enlarged end of said link to be simultaneously forced through said aperture without permanent deformation of said link,

shaft or aperture.

13. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperture therethrough, a cylindrical member having a shank slidably disposed Within said aperture and having an annular indented shoulder therein, a plurality of links slidably disposed on said shank and having enlarged ends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide over said shoulder onto said shank, and a spring positioned between said support and said links and being adapted to urge said support into engagement with said enlarged ends, said aperture being small enough to prevent said enlarged ends from passing through said aperture when disposed in said indented shoulder and subjected to the working forces applied thereto but being large enough to permit said enlarged ends of said links and said shank being simultaneously forced through said aperture. without permanent deformation ofsaid links, shank or aperture.

14. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperture. theret-hrough, a cylindrical member having a shank slidably disposed within said aperture and having an enlarged end tapered to form a blunt point, a recess disposed in said shank adjacent said end to form an annular indented shoulder, a plurality of links adapted to cooperatively engage said member, said-links having enlarged ends adapted toseat in said recess and slide away from said blunt point over said shoulder into engagement with said shank soas to displace a portion of said links from said shank, said enlarged end of said shank being adapted to. prevent the enlarged ends of said links passing thereover, and a spring surrounding said links and said member and positioned between said support and said links and being adapted to urge said support toward en gagement with the enlarged ends on said links, said aperture being large enough to permit a portion of said links to be displaced from engagement with said shank when said enlarged ends ride over said shoulder but small enough to prevent the enlarged ends of said links from passing through said aperture.

15. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardly projecting flange forming an aperture, a member having a shank with a substantially uniform diameter slidably disposed within said aperture, said member having an indented shoulder adjacent an end projecting from said tube, a link slidably disposed on said shank and having an enlarged end overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide over said shoulder onto said shank, and a spring disposed between said supporting tube and said link and tending to urge said supporting tube into engagement with said enlarged end, said aperture being small enough to prevent said enlarged end from passing through said aperture when disposed in said indented shoulder and subjected to the working forces applied thereto but being large enough to permit said enlarged end of said link and said shank being simultaneously forced through said aperture without permanent-deformation of said link, shank or aperture.

16. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardly extending flange forming an aperture, a cylindrical member having a cylindrical shank with a substantially uniform diameter slidably disposed within said aperture, an annular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent an end thereof projecting from said tube, a knob on the other end of said member, a link having an enlarged end adapted to slide over said shoulder into engagement with said shank so as to displace a portion of said link from said shank, and a spring engaging said flange and said link and being adapted to urge said flange toward said enlarged: end, said apertureb eing large enough to permit a portion of said link being displaced from engagement with said shank when said enlarged end slides over said indented shoulder into engagement with said shank but small enough to prevent said spring forcing the enlarged end of said link through said aperture.

References (Cited in the file of this patent U'NlTE-D STATES, PATENTS 1,169,693 Swedlund Jan. 25, 1916 2,356,243 Edwards Sept. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 480,469 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1938 964,157 France Jan. 25, 1950