US2779186A - Latch-supporting clip - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 29, 1957 P. H. GREVENGOED ET AL 2,779,186

LATCH-SUPPORTING CLIP Filed March 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 United States Patent() LATCH-SUPPORTING CLIP Paul H. Grevengoed and Herbert W. Young, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to National Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 6, 1953, Serial No. 340,684

8 Claims. (Cl. 70451) The present invention provides an easily-installed support for a conventional latch mechanism mounted in a hollow structure. The almost exclusive use of wood in the past as the material of which doors were manufactured is partially giving way to the use of fabricated sheet metal structures, and also to the use of hollow extruded sections. With the wood door, the mounting of the latch mechanism involves no problem of providing support, since the bore in which the mechanism is inserted provides a substantially continuous cylindrical surface which can be as snug a tit as appears to be desirable. When this portion of the door is a hollow structure of sheet metal on the order of a sixteenth of an inch in thickness, an entirely diterent situation is present. Under these circumstances, the walls of the hollow door structure are capable of providing support to the latch mechanism only at the edge of the door where the mechanism intersects the Wall. Under most'circumstances, the diameter or thickness of the latch mechanism will be less than the space between the opposite walls, and the inner extremity of the latch mechanism will therefore be left unsupported against movement in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the door. Even if the walls have a spacing closely approximating the thickness of the latch mechanism, there still will be no support against angular movement in the plane of the door with the mechanism tending to pivot about the point where it emerges from the edge of the hollow structure. The installation of extra equipment during the manufacture of the door to stabilize the inner end of the latch mechanism is a rather cumbersome and expensive operation in view of the necessity of cutting out enough of the wall structure to permit the necessary equipment to be installed. Extra fastenings and other similar items most certainly will adversely aiiect the cost of the entire installation. v

The present invention provides a support for the inner end of the latch mechanism without the necessity of tearing apart the door structure in this area. Installation of the supporting member is made at the aperture provided for the insertion of the transverse bar operating the roll-back mechanism. A somewhat larger aperture than would be necessary merely for the passage of the bar is used in order to accommodate the present invention, but the size of this aperture is such that it can easily be covered by the molded area of the knob or by a suitable escutcheon, if desired. Y

The supporting member is preferably formedr of spring steel or some similar material which will permit a considerable yielding action. member is arcuate in form, and has a chordal length somewhat in excess of the diameter of the hole in the wall of the structure through which it is to be inserted. Insertion through the hole therefore requires a considerable amount of deflection; and on arrival at its fully installed position, suitable abutments are provided on the member permitting it to snap into a position from which it cannotI be withdrawn except by again deflecting it. The supporting member contains an aperture adapted to re- In the free condition, theA ice ceive the inner end of the latch mechanism, and the insertion of the latch mechanism through this aperture would tend to limit or remove a considerable amount of the natural resilience of the piece so as to establish a locking action preventing inadvertent removal of the supporting member from its installed position. The overall eiect of the supporting member is simply to transfer the forces applied to the housing of the latch mechanism over to the walls of the hollow structure. This transfer of forces is accomplished while maintaining the axis of the latch mechanism in its proper relationship with the door structure. Several modifications of the present invention are discussed herein.

The several features of the present invention will be discussed in detail through an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated in the. accompanying drawings. In the drawings,

Figure l shows a perspective view of a latch mechanism installed in a hollow door structure, with the inner end supported by a clip constructed according to the present invention. A portion of the door structure is broken away for clarity.

lFigure 2 is a view of the supporting clip shown installed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the plane 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view showing the supporting clip in the position in which it is inserted.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of the present invention provided with a locating tab for orienting the supporting clip with respect to the axis of the latch mechamsm. f

Figure 6 is a further modification of the present invention, also provided with orienting means.

, Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the installation of a modiiied form of the present invention requiring an aperture in only one wall of the hollow structure.

Figure 8 shows a further modification of the present invention.

Referring to Figure I, a latch mechanism designated generally at 10 is shown mounted in the hollow siderail 11 of a door. This member is shown formed as an extruded section (usually of aluminum) having the opposite Walls 12 and 13 between which the latch mechanism 10 is positioned. An angular portion formed by the back wall 14 and the extension 15 accommodates glass, screen, or any other convenient panel material. The front wall 16 of the rail 11 is conventionally bored with an aperture of suicient size to receive the latch mechanism 10, and the mechanism may be retained in position with respect to preventing outward movement by the provision of a ange 17 on the housing of the latch mechanism 10 which cooperates with the opposite keyways 18 and 19 in the rail 11. The provision of opposite flats (one of these indicated at 20) permits the insertion of the flange into the keyways 18 and 19 when the latch mechanism is turned about its axis approximately ninety degrees from the position shown in Figure 1. The dimension across the ats must of course be less than the distance between the ridges Z1 and 22. The insertion of the latch mechanism at a position ninety degrees removed from that shown in Figure 1 is made prior to the insertion of the .transverse bar 23, which is installed after the latch mechanism has been positioned as shown.

The installation of the latch mechanism 10 in this fashion will result in establishing a iirm support for the outer end adjacent the bolt 24. The inner end 25, however, will be left suspended unless further structure is utilized. To provide support in this area, a clip 26 is positioned as shown in Figure l. The installation of the clip 26 is made through the opening 27 machined in the wall 12 of the rail 11. An opening substantially coaxial withi the opening., 27 .-is:.fnecessary to accommodate" the cross bar 23, ,sothe.formingofthe openingZLisnotin any sense an additional operation to that which would be required without the present invention. Preferably, an .op ening,..v28.A similar to; 27 is provided inethe opposite wall 13:,l and the-clip,- 26 constructedfto.,cooperatewwith both of these openings.

The constructionofthe clip 26 fisrmost-tclearlyindicated in Figures 2 and 3. ,'In; the formfshowninzthe:drawings, this clip is-ressentially. an arcuate paneLformed-fof a resilient material (preferably springsteel) and having a central hole.:29 to: accommodate-.thelatch'mechanism 10. A portion Aof .the arcuate panel section extends between the opposite ywalls 12\:and.13.,,and :abutmentfmeans as indicated `at'EilandM ;areiorrned:fby;.the ilanges 32. The.chordal;.distanceztorglength 33 (referto: Figure 3) across the outer extremities .of;the angesz; is greater thanthe diameter ofthe?. aperture'. 27. vlnsertion ofv the clip 26 in the aperture: 27 is therefore accomplished/.las shown'in Figure- 4 through an application'of vforceszin the direction of the arrows tending to deect theclip a` sufcicnt amount/to permitithepassage through thewaperture. Such -deiiection `results-in decreasez-'ofthe-chordal length 33. On release ofthe forces', the 'clip:springs'out Wardly-so .that the flanges y32y are `retained .between the walls l2 and 13. If desired, tabs as indicatedsat 341.and 35 may be used'tosupplement ythe-Labutments` 30.-and"31 so that the clip 26 will be positioned between the-walls 12 and' 13--at severalpoints.

The installation of the clip 26 is made prior to the -insertion of the latch lmechanism' fli). Afterthe 'clip' 26 has been postioned and the'latch4 mechanism inserted-in the assembledrelationship-shown in Figure l,- the lpresence of the latch mechanism in the 'opening `29 lof the clip 26 serves to considerably limit the deliection fof the clip 26 and to thereby lock it against accidental displacement which might disengage'the abutments30 andf31. The clip 26 is preferably provided with the tabs V36 and 37 formed of material adjacent'the openingy 29,thedistance between the free ends 'of these tabs being'less than the thickness of the latch mechanism at thispoint. The insertion of the latch mechanism therefore causesthe tabs 3o and 37 to resiliently bear on the housing, and to give solid support regardless of the accumulation of manufacturing tolerances. A further function of the tabs 36 and 37 is to permit only a one-way relativemovement between the clip 26 and the llatch mechanism 10. Due to the fact that the tabs 36 and 37 engage the housing of the latch mechanism 10 atan angle, 'movement of the housing in an outward direction would tend Yto cause the tabs 36 and 37 to bite more 'rmly into the housing and establish a jamming action. Ifvmeans are utilized to securely locate the supporting clip v26 withinxthe aperture 27 against movement parallel'to the axis of the latch mechanism, it is possible to utilize the. tabs`36 and'37 to perform the entire function of locating'the latch. mechanism within the doorA rather'than rely upon .the engagement ofthe flange 17 with the ,keyways 1S and 19. Under these circumstances, the flange 17 maybe reduced 'in diameter to where it is free to pass between the anges 2i and 22, theange 17 then being utilized merely to limit the degree of movement of the mechanism within the door during installation.

In Figure 5, amodification of the present invention .is shown which is provided with means ,for properly orienting the clip about the axis of the aperture in whichitis installed. The transverse aperture. 39 formedlinth'e wall 40 of the door is similar to the aperture 27 shown in Figure l. Prior to the .drilling .of the opening 39, however, a smaller hole 41 is drilled, withits center -approximately intersecting the position ofthe periphery of the hole 39. After the holef41f-is drilled,.tl1e mechining of the` hole39 'will intersect thehole .41toiforn1 an arcuate recess` which `can `be used f. to .orientthe fclip sof-that the aperture29 is properly disposed to receive the latch .mechanism .10.

The use of opposite apertures 42 and 43, as shown in Figure 6, which are formed in ra similar fashion to the aperture 41 of Figure 5, may be used to orient the clip 44 and also serve the purpose of positively positioning the clip against movement parallel to the axis of the latch mechanism. The tabs 45, 46, and 47 are positioned to project into the .aperture..48,. andthe remainder of the panel portion .of .the clip 44 is of such a dimension as to be positionedbetween the inner and outer walls of the supportingstructure.

Figure 7 indicates a modified form of the present invention illustrating use in situations in which an aperture is feasible in only .oneside of thedoor. The clip 49 is positioned between the walls 50 and 51, with a projection portion 52 extending into the aperture 53. The end 54 of the clip and also the shoulders 55 at the ends of the flanges 56 iormfzopposite abutments transferring forces to the'wa'lls50 and 51 applied atthe aperture 57 by a latch mechanism.

A'supportingclip may also be'. formed .as indicated in Figure 8 insuch afashion as to substantially exceed one hundred-eighty degreesI of curvature. Under these circumstancesg'however, -cut-away portions as indicated at 58 -and "59 must be installed to permitv the insertion of the latch vmechanism`through`the' supporting aperture 60. With-theclip 61 formed in asubstantial portion of a complete lcylinder at pointswhere'itengages' thel walls of the doorstructure, 'thefclip will present a considerable stabilityagainst-'displacement' parallel to the-axis of the latch mechanism.

The yparticular"embodiments off the present invention which haveibeen illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the-scope ofthe appended claims. In lthese claims, itis-our intention to claim the entire inventiondisclos'edherein, except as we `are limited by the priorart.

We claim:

I. A Asupporting* c lip"forv a member mounted in a hollow structure Ahaving oppositel holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising:l an arcuate panel Yportionv having axial a'ngesforming axiallyspaced abutment por tions at vthe ends *ofsaid anges', said clip being formed of resilient material and having an unrestrained form such f` that 4Athe. chordalzdistance. Ibetween the outer extremities of-said*arngesexceeds the diameter `of said holesythe axial distance betweenthe ends of .said anges' being lessthan the `inside distance between the opposite Walls of;saidiho1low structurefat said holes; projections extending axiallybeyond the ends of said iiangesy for' disposition within4 said holes.in bearing engagement with said walls :at a plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordal length between the said projections yat one end of said clip which is.less than thechordal y distance between the outer extremities of 'said flanges; and meansV dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projections ,engaging said holes, said clip .having at' least one tab adjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member on an angle.

2. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structurel having ,opposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising:I an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment., por-tions and .formed Vofresilientrnaterial, and having. an unrestrainedtorm such that the chordal distance between' `theouter extremities of said abutmentvportionsexceeds .thediameter of said holes, the axial-'distance` between ,said abutment portions `being .less thanA the.r inside :distance tbe-.tween .the 1 opposite walls of said y hollow structureatnaidrholes; projections extending axialtion within said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordal length between the said projections at one end of said clip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projections engaging said holes, said clip having opposite chordal tabs adjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member on an angle.

3. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having opposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the inside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projections extending axially beyond said abutment portions for disposition within said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordal length between the said projections at one end of said clip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projections engaging said holes, said clip having-at least one tab adjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member on an angle.

4. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having opposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the inside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projections extending axially beyond the said abutment portions a distance less than the thickness of the adjacent wall of said hollow structure for disposition within said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordal length between the said projections at one end of said clip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projections engaging said holes.

5. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having opposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the inside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projections extending axially beyond the said abutment portions for disposition within said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordal length between the said projections at one end of said clip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projections engaging said holes.

6. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having a hole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the -outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the inside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projection extending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions for disposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall at a plurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said clip having a chordal length across the said projection which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portion; and means defining an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole, said clip having at least one chordal tab adjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member on an angle.

7. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having a hole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the mside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projection extending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions a distance less than the thickness of the adjacent wall of said hollow structure for disposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall at a plurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said clip having a chordal length across the said projection which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portion; and means defining an aperture associated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole.

8. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having a hole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuate panel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed of resilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that the chordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portions exceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance between said abutment portions being less than the inside distance between the opposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projection extending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions for disposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall at a plurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said clip having a chordal length across the said projection which is less than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutment portion; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel and adapted .to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole. Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 327,624 Van Alstyne Oct. 6, 1885 1,505,380 Dexter Aug. 19, 1924 1,561,254 Ledin Nov. 10, 1925 1,619,032 Parsons Mar. 1, 1927 2,004,510 Schlage June 11, 1935 2,091,248 Schlage Aug. 24, 1937 2,216,219 Wiley Oct. 1, 1940

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