US2775475A - Latch extension unit - Google Patents

Description

' Dec. 25, 1956 J. MILLER LATCH EXTENSION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1955 Dec. 25, 1956 Filed Dec. 23, 1953 J. MILLER LATCH EXTENSION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Julius]? 136661 HA5 1! ORNEY United States Patent LATCH EXTENSION UNIT Julius Miller, Valley Stream, N. Y., assignor to Miller- Deutscher Corporation, Lynhrook, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 23, 1953, Serial No. 399,989 3 Claims. 01. 292-1 This invention relates to door latches and locking devices, and particularly to an improved linkage arrangement for connecting thelatch actuating'mechanism to the bolt.

In the conventional door the latch actuating mechanism and the handle or knob are located in the immediate vicinity of the catch. Usually the latch and its operating mechanism is an intregal unit. However, many modern architectural designs require the positioning of the door knob and latch actuating mechanism away from the vertical edge of the door and at a considerable distance from the catch. Some designs have even located the door handle centrally of the door.

These new designs have created problems of installing and operating the catch by a latch actuating mechanism, hereinafter referred to as the actuator. Presently known devices employed to overcome these difficulties use bored holes extending from the edge surface of the door to the recess provided for the actuator. Through this bore is passed a housing, having a sliding link therein. This link connects the actuator and the latch.

Such sliding links, by their inherent structure present many undesirable features. Since these devices comprise several working parts they are expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantageof the present links stems from their rigid construction and the rigid interlocking connection at the actuator and at the latch mechanism. This lack of flexibility in the linkage arrangement necessitates an extremely accurate drilled hole between the two units. Any deviation of the hole from a true vertical or a horizontal plane will make it increasingly diflicult to assemble the link actuation mechanism. To produce an accurately bored hole in every installation is extremely diflicult especially as the actuator is moved further away from the bolt or latch. Failure of known link constructions is often caused by their use of telescopically working parts. These parts may rust upon the penetration of moisture causing a partial or total freezing of the mechanism. The latch thereupon becomes sluggish in operation or wholly inoperative. Often-an accumulation of sawdust and other dirt particleslodged within the moving parts thereof, will interfere with the function of these structures.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an easily installed link of simple construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide .a link which does not require an accurately bored channel or hole through which to operate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a link so constructed as to be operative despite misalignment of the actuator both in a vertical and horizontal plane.

A feature of this invention is a link having no moving parts.

Another feature of the present invention is its novel locking means, provided at both ends of the link for securing the link to the latch and actuator mechanism.

The invention consists of the construction, combinaice Figure 2 is a view in elevation of one embodiment of this invention with certain parts cut away to show the construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3 illustrating a third embodiment of this invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of the latch engaging end portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the actuating mechanism end portion of the link shown in Figure 2, somewhat enlarged.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the latch end part of the second embodiment of this invention somewhat enlarged.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the latch end of the third embodiment of this invention somewhat enlarged.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6 the reference character 10 designates a link formed of a hollow rod or tubular member. The link may be of any suitable length depending upon the desired distance between the latch or catch mechanism 12 and the actuating mechanism or actuator 13. The latch unit 12 comprises a latch head or bolt 14 held under spring tension by spring 11 within a housing 15. Attached to the rear of the head 14 is a rearwardly extending T-shaped member 16. Adjacent the end 17 ofthe link 10, as best shown in Figure 5, is a hole 19 adapted to receive therein one of the extended arms 18 of the member 16. The hole 19 is of a diameter suflicient to allow the arm 18 considerable freedom of movement therein without permitting the link to be twisted out of engagement with the said arm.

The inside diameter of the hollow rod 10 is formed so as to provide a bearing surface for the end ofthat portion of the arm 18 of the T-shaped member which is not thrust through the opening 19 in the rod.

At its actuator end the link 10 is provided with opposed horizontal transverse slots or grooves 22 (best shown in Figure 6). The grooves 22 are deep enough to receive the retracting jaws 23 of the latch actuating mechanism 13. Horizontal and vertical movement of the link 10. at this connection is provided by' forming grooves 19 wide enough to permit longitudinal movement of the link between the jaws 23. The end 21 of the link 10 has a concave surface as indicated at 21 to clear the lugs (not shown) of the actuator 13 when the link is in the retracted position.

The horizontal displacement of the link connections at the latch unit 12 and the actuator 13 made possible by the present invention is best illustrated in Figure 3. The extreme vertical movements of the link ends 17 and 21 are shown in Figure 3 by the dot and dash lines. advantage of the displacement available by the present invention will be apparent by reference to Figure 1.

The hole 31 in Figure 1 may be bored in the door 32 at an angle to a horizontal plane. Were it not for the universal adjustability of the link connections at the ends 17 and 21 a union could not be made between the latch 12 and the actuator 13. The same adjustment is pos sible if the hole 21 is drilled out of line with a vertical plane. Further, it can be-readily-seenthat by use of this link a coupling between the latch and the actuator can be accomplished where the hole 31 may be out of line withb'oth a vertical and a horizontalplane.

In the operation of the above 'de'scribeddatch and locking device theturning'of the door knob' or handle '24 retracts thejaws '23. As'the jaws are drawn 'toward the'center'of'theactuator 13, the jaw'ends' bear against the rear wall of the link'grooves'22. The pull thus imparted to the'link causes the'rear wall of the hole 19 to'pullonthe arm 18 ofthemember 16. This movement retracts the bolt 14 permitting 'thedoor to be opened. Upon the release of the door knob or handle the'b'o1t1'4 and the link arereturned to a normal positionuin'der-the urging'of springs in the latch 12 and actuator 13.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 3 and 4. In this form the tubular link 10 is provided, at its actuator" end 21, with grooves22 as previously described. The latch end 17 of this link diliers from the first embodiment in'having a pair of diametrically'opposed slots 25. At right anglesto each slot 25 is a transverse slot 26. This construction forms a'bayonet typeof connection. To make the connection, the link is positioned'so'thatthe ends of the arm 18 pass into slots 25. Then the .link is rotated so that the said arm ends pass into slots 26. The slots 26 are sulficiently wide to allow the ends of the arm 18, when the coupling is made, freedom of movement to insure adjustability of the joint. The horizontal grooves 22 at the end 21 of the link 'preventsthe link from rotating during its operation and twisting out of engagement with the ends of the arm 18. The latch end 17 of the link has a concave surface to prevent the end of the link from striking lugs in the actuator when in the retracted position. The bayonet end construction of the link permits easier assembly and provides a more positive connection.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 4 and 8. The link 27 is a solid cylindrical member having in close proximity to its end 28 an annular groove 29. The depression is deep enough to permit the link 27 to pass between the jaws 23 of the actuator and to allow a slight vertical movement of the link between said jaws. The width of the depression '29 must be wide enough to permit horizontal movement of the link before the side walls of the depression bear against the vertical ends of the jaws 23. These clearances permit the vertical and the horizontal movement of the link when coupled.

At the opposite end 17 of the link 27 there is provided a longitudinal bore the depth of which is sufficient to allow the entry of the end of the T-shaped member 16. In assembly the member 16 is inserted in the bore 30 and one end of the arm 18 is inserted in a hole 19 located near the end 17 of the link. The coupling thus formed is the same as described in the first embodiment of this invention. Construction of the link at its end 17, as aforesaid, prevent rotatory movement of the link and the disengagement of the memberld with the link.

This last embodiment provides for even greater latitude in mounting the actuator and bolt mechanism than in the preceding embodiments in that, the jaws 23 may be in any position relative to the T-shaped member 16 and still a union therebetween, can be effected by the link 27.

It is apparent from the foregoing disclosure that a link construction has been provided which can be easily and cheaply manufactured. It is constructed without moving parts thereby eliminating the problem of the inoperative or sluggish operating door latches due toclogged parts within the link. The link, while forming a positive acting coupling between the latch and the actuator, provides flexible connections at itsends. This feature eliminates the need for an accurately drilled hole through which the link passes.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuator mechanisms, said extensionunit comprising, a centrally bored rod shaped link, a universally adjustable coupling member on said link consisting of opposed L-shaped slots in thewall of the link at the latch bolt end of said link and integral with said link, a universally adjustable coupling member consisting of a groove in said link spaced .from the latch bolt actuator end of thelink, said coupling members being in positive but swingable engagement with the latch bolt andactuator mechanisms.

2. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuator mechanisms, said extension unit comprising, a centrally bored, rod shaped link, a universally adjustable coupling member on said link consisting of a lateral opening communicating with the central bore near the latch bolt end of said link, a universally adjustable coupling member consisting'of opposed grooves formed near the latch bolt actuator end of the link, said coupling members being in positive but swingable engagement with the latch bolt and actuator mechanisms.

3. An extension unit adapted for use between latch bolt and actuator mechanisms, said extension unit comprising, a centrally bored rod shaped link, a universally adjustable coupling member on said link consisting of a lateral opening communicating with the central bore near the latch bolt end of said link and integral with said link, a universally adjustable coupling member consisting of an annular groove formed near the latch bolt actuator end of the link; said coupling members being in positive but swingable engagement with the latch bolt and actuator mechanisms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,250,036 Schlage July 22, 1941 2,299,181 Schlage Oct. 20, 1942 2,719,744 Schlage Oct. 4, 1955

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