US2813737A

US2813737A - Latch

Info

Publication number: US2813737A
Application number: US589906A
Authority: US
Inventors: George R Reiter
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1956-06-07
Filing date: 1956-06-07
Publication date: 1957-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1974-11-19

Description

Nov. 19, 1957 G. R. REITER 2,813,737

LATCH Filed June'7, 195s Fleyl PIC-3.3

INVENTOR.

GEORGE R REITER HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent LATCH George R. Reiter, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 7, 1956, Serial No. 589,906

2 Claims. (Cl. 292-74) The present invention relates to an improved latch and more particularly to a latch of the type comprising a plunger and a spring adapted to maintain a door in a closed position.

Latches of the type with which the present invention is concerned are normally used for latching doors which do not require a positive latch. Such latches are so designed that the door on which the latch is mounted is normally held in a closed position by reason of the fact that the latch plunger is spring biased into engagement with a cooperating strike mounted on the door jamb. Since the spring provides the only latching force, the door may be opened readily merely by applying an opening force suflicient to cause the latch plunger to slide upwardly over the strike against the biasing action of the spring. In order to adjust the position of the plunger relative to the strike and thereby compensate for variations in the distances between the door edge and the jamb in different installations, previous known latches of this type have included, in addition to the spring means for biasing the plunger into engagement with the strike, separate means for adjusting the position of the plunger within the latch housing.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple low cost latch including a latch plunger and a spring for normally holding the plunger in operative position, the spring and the plunger being so constructed and arranged within the latch housing that the spring also provides means for adjustment of the latch plunger relative to a cooperating strike.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch including adjustable spring means for anchoring or fastening the latch plunger in operative position within the latch housing.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of the present invention, there is provided a latch including a housing and a latch plunger slidably disposed in the housing. For biasing the plunger into latching engagement with a cooperating strike and also for the purpose of providing means for adjusting the position of the plunger relative to the strike there is provided a spring having one end connected or anchored to the plunger and the other end threadably engaging an internally threaded retainer means within the housing. By rotating the spring relative to the threaded retainer, the relative longitudinal position of the plunger can be varied to obtain the desired adjustment thereof with regards to the strike.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view partially in section of a refrigerator including a freezer door incorporating a 2,813,737 Patented Nov. 19, 1957 Referring now to the drawings there is shown in Fig. 1

a standard type of refrigerator comprising an outer cabinet 1 including a fresh food storage compartment 2 and a freezer compartment 3 for the storage of frozen foods. An inner door 4 is provided for closing the access opening to the freezer compartment and this door is pivotal] supported at one side by hinges (not shown).

In order to latch the freezer door 4 in closing relationship with the access opening of freezer compartment 3, there is provided at the other side of the door a simple and low cost spring-biased latch which in the illustrated modification comprises a portion molded as an integral part of the inner wall 5 of the door 4. It is of course to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular modification shown since the entire latch can be made as a separate item and suitably secured to a door such as the door 4 and furthermore thatthe latch of the present invention can be employed not only in connection with refrigerator doors but also with any type of door which does not require a positive latch. For those reasons the latch of the present invention will be described with specific reference to its essential operating components and without any particular reference to the specific manner in which it is mounted on a door.

The latch of the present invention essentially comprises a housing 6, a plunger 7 and a spring 8. One end of the spring 8 is suitably anchored to one of these members and the other end threadably engages the other. In the modification shown, one end of the spring is fastened to the plunger while the other end threadably engages internally threaded retainer 9 which may either be in the form of a portion of the latch housing or a member suitably secured thereto.

In the modification shown, the forward end of the spring threadably engages a threaded portion on the plunger shaft 10 adjacent the head 11. In order to prevent the spring from rotating relative to the plunger during adjustment thereof, the extreme tip or end of the spring is adapted to snap into a groove 12 provided in the base portion of the plunger head 11 so that the spring is anchored and prevented from rotating relative to the plunger. To guide the plunger during longitudinal movement within the housing, the opposite end 13 of the shaft extends through or into the retainer 9.

The end of the spring which is threadably received in the internal threaded retainer portion 9 surrounding shaft end 13 provides means for the longitudinal adjustment of the plunger within the housing 6 in order that the plunger may be adjusted so that the head 11 is in proper latching position with respect to a strike 14 suitably mounted on the door jamb 15 which in the present modification is a portion of the inner liner of the cabinet 1.

In order to prevent undesired rotation of the plunger within the housing and to maintain the plunger head 11 in proper latching position relative to the strike 14 during normal operation of the latch, the opening 16 in the front face of the housing through which the plunger head extends is preferably of a rectangular or other non-circular shape and the plunger of a similar shape so that when the plunger head is in its normal position extending through the opening 16, the plunger can not be turned or rotated.

From the above description it will be seen that the spring 8 not only serves to fasten the plunger within the housing 6 but also provides, by compression, the biasing force necessary to hold the plunger head 11 in latching relationship with the strike 14'When the door is in its closed position as shown in Fig. 2. Disengagement of the plunger head 11 from the strike 14 and opening of the door is accomplished-merely by applying su'ificient opening force to the door handle .17 to cause thehead'Il to slide upwardly over the strike 14 againstthe biasing action of the spring '8.

By the above-identified construction, the springB' not only'provides the desired latching force and the means for Positioning the plunger within the housing 6 but it also provides means for adjusting the position of the plunger, or more specifically the plunger head 11, relative to the strike 14in order to compensatefor any variations in the distance "between'th'e jarnb 1'5 and the door 4.

The manner in which the plunger may be adjusted is illustrated in Fig. 3. By grasping the head 11 and pullingthe head freefrom the face opening 16, the plunger and the spring 8 anchored thereto can then be rotated relative to the housing "6 in such a manner that'the spring is threaded 'a greater or lesser distance into the retaining portion 9. In this way the 'norrnalposition of the plunger within the housing and hence relative to the cooperating strike 14'is changed. "In other words, when the head 11 is drawn forwardly against the action of the spring 8 to a position where it is entirely clear of the opening 16 the spring anchored to the'plunger maybe turned relative to the retainer portion 9 so that after the plunger head is released and allowed to return to a position within the opening 16, the length of spring between the plunger head and retainer will have been changed and the position of the plunger head 11 will have been varied relative to the strike 14.

Fromthe above description it will be seen that there hasbeen provided a simple and low cost latch essentially consisting of only a housing or equivalent means for mounting the latch structure on a door, a plunger and a spring which provides the'sole'm'eansfor holding or sup porting the plunger in proper operative position within the housing, biasing the plunger into engagement with a strike and adjusting the plunger relative to a cooperating strike. It will also be understood that while there has been shown and descrihedtauspecific embodiment of the invention, the invention'is not limited to the particular form shown and describeilbandait is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications .within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the Unite'dStat'es i 1. A latch comprisinga housingincluding a face having an opening therein and' an internally threaded retainer spaced from said face, a plunger including a head slidably and non-rotatably received in said opening and a shaft extending into saidtretainer, la tcoillspring, one end of:said spring beinganc'hored to said plunger adjacent the head thereof and the otherend disposed between said retainer and said shaft and threadab'ly engaging said retainer.

2. A latchcomprisinga housing including aiaceihaving an opening therein and'an internally threaded retainer spaced from .said' 'face,,la plunger including .a head .slidably and non-rotatalily receiued in said opening ,and a shaft extending into said retainer, and means vfor adjustably fastening said plunger in said .housinglconsisting of a coil spring, one end-of which is anchoredto saidplunger adjacent the head thereof and the other end of which threada'bly engages said retainer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS