US2928689A

US2928689A - Sliding door latch mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2928689A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence E Mineah
Original assignee: Coast Pro-Seal and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Coast Pro-Seal and Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1957-05-20
Filing date: 1957-05-20
Publication date: 1960-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1977-03-15

Description

March 15, 1960 L. E. MINEAH SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1957 E60 10 INVENTOR. .LflM/QEA/CE E [ll/MEAN,

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March 15, 1960 L. E. MIN EAH 2,928,639

SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent o SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Lawrence E. Mineah, Escondido, Calif., assignor to Coast Pro-Seal & Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 20, 1957, Serial No. 660,261

9 Claims. (Cl. 292-113) This invention relates to a latch mechanism for use in connection with sliding doors or the like.

The basic object of this invention is to provide a simple latch mechanism, comprising a few simple parts, that is easily and inexpensively manufactured, assembled and installed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a latch mechanism of this character that, despite its simplicity, incorporates important functional features. One of these is a security feature. By a simple arrangement pressure exerted upon the latch bolt by a tool exerted from the outside is ineffective to cause retraction of the latch. 1 The bolt can be withdrawn only by manipulation of the actuator which is accessible only on one side of the door or operable by a lock on the other side. Since the bolt is retracted only by the actuator, automatic cam latching is precluded. Accordingly, if the bolt is accidentally projected when the door is open, there is a danger that the keeper will be injured by closure of the door. The second feature relates to the prevention of such damage. This is accomplished by a simple resilient mounting for the latch bolt.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple adjusting mechanism for ensuring snug cooperation of'the latch bolt with the keeper. This is conveniently accomplished by a simple adjustable stop operable in connection with the resilient mounting of the latch bolt.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of a sliding door incorporating the present invention; 7

Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the latch structure in alternate positions, the cover being illustrated in section;

Fig. 4 ,is a view illustrating the latch in cooperative relationship with a keeper secured to the door jamb;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the position of parts when the latch bolt, in projected position, engages the keeper; and

Fig. 6 is an exploded view showing the manner in which the several parts of the latch mechanism are mounted upon a plate. I

. The latch mechanism 12, embodying the present invention, in Fig. 1 is shown mounted upon a sliding glass door 10. The latch mechanism 12 is mounted atthat part of the door frame which engages the door jamb 11.

A moveable latch bolt 13 has an upwardly extendmg finger 14 that engages behind a keeper 15 mounted in the door jamb (see also Fig. 4) in order to maintain the door closed.

The latch mechanism is mounted in a simple manner. A base 16 (Fig. 2), which has a decorative grip flange 17 at one side, is secured to or upon the angle or channel frame 18 of the sliding door 10.

The operative or moving parts of the latch mechanism are all mounted upon a rectangular plate 19 (see also Fig. 6). The plate conforms generally in size to, and is mounted upon, the forward part of the base 16 so that one side of the plate 19 substantially overlies the edge of the door. SpacersZil and 21 (Figs. 4 and 5) extend laterally from opposite sides of the plate. Appropriate securing means, such as screws, pass through the spacers and engage the base 16. 7 i

The plate 19 has

flanges

22 and 31 projecting op positely from the respective sides of the plate to provide rigidity to the plate.

The latch bolt 13 is pivotally mounted remote from its finger 14 so that the finger swings between operative position as viewed in Fig. 3 and inoperative position as illustrated in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 the finger 14 of the latch bolt 13 is projected beyond the forward side flange 22 of the plate 19, and in Fig. 2 the finger 14 isretracted rearwardly of the plate flange 22. r i

The latch bolt 13 is located at that surface of the plate 19 opposed to the base 16. The latch bolt 13 at a place remote from the finger 14 is pivotally connected to a mounting arm 23 (Figs. 4 and 6) by a pin 24.

The mounting arm 23 normally occupies a fixed position relative to the plate 19. However, the arm 23 is pivotally mounted upon the lower portion of the plate 19 by the aid of a pin 25 secured at an aperture 26 (Fig. 6) of the plate 19. The pin 25 extends through an opening 27 in the arm 23, and a ring 28 holds the arm 23 on the As shown in Fig. 4, the mounting arm 23 is urged forwardly'against an abutment 29 by the aid of a hairpin spring 30. Accordingly, the axis y of pivotal movement of the latch bolt 13, as provided by the pin 24, is normally fixed.

The hairpin spring 30 extends about the pin 25 which mounts the arm 23. One end, as at 30a, is anchored, as

bybeing received in an aperture 31a in the rear flange 31 of the plate 19 (Fig. 4). The opposite end of the hairpin spring 30 has a bent end 30b which isseated in a notch 23a provided on one side of the arm 23. The ends 30a and 30b of the hairpin spring tend to move apart and urge the arm 23 angularly in a counterclockwise direction, as

viewed in Fig. 4, such that its upper end engages the abutment'29. V l

The abutment 29co'mprises a headless screw which extends transversely of, and is threadedly accommodated in, a post 32 carried by the plate 19. By adjusting the screw 29, the limited position of the mounting arm 23 upon'the latch 'bolt 13 is adjusted. Accordingly, the axis y of movement of the latchbolt 13 is likewise adjusted, and this adjustment is generally in a direction toward and away from the edge of the door. Accordingly, the latch mechanism may be installed upon the door frame with only general reference to the location of the keeper 15. After the latch mechanism is substantially permanently affixed to the door frame, the screw 29 may be adjusted so that when the latch bolt 13 is operative, there will be no play between the jamb and the door.

The arm 23 not only serves as an adjustable mounting for the latch bolt 13 but also serve as a means whereby inadvertent projection of the latch bolt 13 will be ineffective to cause damage to the jamb. This is illustrated in Fig. 5. Should the latch bolt 13 be inadvertently projected and should the bolt 13 then engage the jarnb, the latch bolt 13 and the arm 23 will yield relative to the 7 axis y is small.

I 3 door and the plate 19 by virture of the resilient force exerted by spring 30. The impact is accordingly minimized. The head of the pin 24 engages theend of a slot 50 (Fig. 6). in the plate 19 to limit this retracting movement. V.

In order to operate the latch bolt 13, a latch actuating member in theform of a bell crank lever 33 is provided. This. bell crank lever is pivoted on the outer side of the plate 19 by the'aid of a pin 34. One arm 35 of the bell crank lever 33 projects rearwardly beyond the rear flange 31 of the plate 19 and is accessible for manipulation. The other arm 36 of the bell crank lever 33. extends generally upwardly from the pin 34. The end of this arm iseases the compression spring will be at a minimum when the pin 37 is at either end of the slot 38. Accordingly, the

spring'40 determines two stable positions of the bell crank lever 33. a

36 carries a connecting, pin 37 which projects through a clearance slot 38 in the support 19 for engaging the latch bolt 13.

The lever 33 andthe pin 37 carried thereby'rotate in arcs centered atthe axis x of the mounting pin 34. The latch bolt 13, on the contrary, rotates about the axis y I of the pin 24 which connects the mounting arm 23 With the latch bolt. A'sliding connection between the pin. 37 and the latch-bolt 13 is, accordingly, necessary. Thus,

an elongate. slot 39 in the latch bolt 13 is provided'in' which thepin-37carried by the bell, crank lever 33 is received; Theslot 39 extends generally radially toward the axis y ofthe latch bolt 13. l

The bell crank lever 33 is movable between. two extremes defined by engagement of the connecting pin'with the ends of the slot 38. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the bell crank lever is in one limited position corresponding to engagement of the pin 37 with the inner end of the slot 38. In this position, the latch bolt 13 is rotated downwardly, and the slot 39 of the latch bolt is oriented generally vertically.

In Fig. 3, the pin 37 engages the forward end of the slot 38 in the plate 19, and the latch bolt 13 is in pro jected operative position.

The ends oflthe slot 38 are so located that when the mounting arm 23' is in an intermediate adjusted position,

In this case, the slot 39 of the latch bolt 13' extendsgenerally horizontally. 1

The configuration and location of the slot 39 are important for two reasons. Firstof all, in the projected operative position of the latch bolt 13, the slot 39 must permit movement. of the bolt 13 either for purposes of adjusting the takeup between. the finger 14 and the keeper 15 or to permit resilient retraction against aresilient of the slot 39 is a determining factor of the operative the pin 37 is about as far distant from the axis..y in the forward projected position of the latch bolt 13 as it is in the rearward retracted position of the latch bolt. The ex tent of overcenter movement of. the bell crank lever 33 in V opposite directions is thus maintained about equaLdes'pite adjustments. V

If the arm 23 is in an intermediate adjusted position,

o'nly a small portion of the slot 39 is operative since mounting arm 23'be adjusted, the change in distance of the pin 37 fromthe axis y increases and a larger portion of the slot 39 becames operative. The slot is as long as is sufiicient to ensure appropriate sliding movement of the pin and the slot. The bell crank lever 33 is biased so that the two ex- 7 treme positions determined by the slot 38 are stable posir 'tions corresponding to retracted and advanced positions vertically above the axis x of the bell crank lever 33. The

other end 4072 of the spring 40 engages an annular groove 37a in the reduced portion 37b of the connecting pin 37 which projects beyond the bell crank lever arm 36.

The compression of the spring 401will be maximum when the pin is located on a line between the axis x of I the hell crank lever 33 and the aperture 41 inwhich the fixed end 40a of the compression spring 40 is accomorientation of. the latch bolt 13 for various adjusted positions of the arm or mounting member 23. Thus, the forward portion of theslot 39 in the projected position as viewedin Fig. 4 generally parallels the path or 'movemeht of the place of attachment of the latch bolt 13 to the arm 23 throughout the range of adjustment or". the arm by the screw '29. Since the arm 23 rotates, true parallelism would be achieved by curving the forward portion of the slot 39' arcuately downwardly. But this is unnecessary since the extent of movement of the parts is slight.- The slot 39 actually curves slightly upwardlywhile its forward portion maintains the generally parallel relationship with the'path of the mounting pin 24. This facilitates an arrangement in which undesired 'or unauthorizedrotation of the latch bolt 13 is prevented.

Thus, the slot 39 must be so located that a downward thrust at the latch bolt surface 14b (Fig. 4) is ineffective to rotate thelatch bolt 13 to the retracted position of Fig. 2. 'In other words, the device should provide se- .curity;with:a,respect to attempted unauthorized operation reactionon the pin 37 fromthe slot 39 must tend to rotate the bellcrank lever ina direction corresponding to projection and not retraction :ofthe bolt 13. j A line a (Fig- 4), normal to the then operative portion of the slot 39, must pass to the left of the axis mas-viewed in Fig. 4. If the slot. 39 extends generally horizontally, this means that the arm 36 of the bell crank lever 33 must be angled forwardly in the projected position as viewed in Fig. 4. f i

a g If these relationships are maintained, the reaction upon the pin will create .a counterclockwise torque on the bell modated. That line substantially bisects the slot 38 by which the movement of the pin- 37 is limited. Hence,

for permitting passage of the latch bolt in Fig; 2, there is provided with the-headless screw 29,

crank lever as viewed in Fig. 4, and hence be ineffective to release: the latch. 7

Taking into consideration the curvature of the slot, the criterion may be expressed as follows: The center of curvature of the slot 39 must lie on that side of a line joining the axes x and w (Fig. 4) such that a torque reaction will be produced, tending to maintain the bell crank lever in its projected position.

-0verlying'the plate 19 to provide a housing for the structure is a generally rectangular shell cover 42 that is The shell 42 has an elongate slot 43 13. It also has an elongate slot 44 in its rear side beyond which the arm 35. of the bell-crank'lever 33 projects for purposes of manipulation." Immediately abovethe slot 43, as viewed open on one side.

removal of'the casing 42.

jus'tment may bemade without be held in place by the The casing conveniently may aid'of screws accommodated in threaded openings 20a and 21a of the

spacers

20 and 21 .(Fig. 2).

an opening 45 in alignment. whereby appropriate ad The plate 19 can readily be reversed in order that the mechanism operates with a door that closes by movement to the left-instead of to the right. All that is required is to move the top of the plate to the bottom and the bottom of the plate to the top so, that the lever 33 is on the inside and the latch bolt is on the outside. The keeper 15 has sufiicient width such that the reversal is uncritical.

The inventor claims:

1. In a latch structure: a latch having a hook end adapted to extend through an opening; a retractible support for the latch for permitting lateral movement of the latch when it encounters an abutment; means adjustably defining the extent of movement of said support toward unretracted position; resilient means urging the support to active position; a pivotal connection between the latch and the support the axis of which is fixed relative to the latch and the support; a latch actuating member for rotating the latch; a cam' connection, including surface forming means and a projection, said connection extending between the latch actuating member and the latch; and means independent of the surface means limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch projecting position whereby the configuration of the surface means is a determining factor of the operative orientation of the latch for various adjusted positions of the support. v v

2. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movable with respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of the elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in a path corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movement of the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the mounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient means urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the mounting member for move ment to a projected position and to a retracted'position,

the axis of relative movement between the latch bolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch bolt and the mounting member; a latch actuating member for rotating the latch bolt; a cam connection including surface forming means and a projection, said connection extending between the actuating member and the latch bolt; and means independent of the surface means limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch projection position, whereby the configuration of the surface means is a determining factor of the operative orientation of the latch bolt for various adjusted positions of the mounting member.

3. Ina latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movable with respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of the elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in a path corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movement of the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the mounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient means urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position and to a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latch bolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch bolt and the mounting member; a latch actuating member carried by the support for rotating the latch bolt; a pin-and-slot connection between the actuating member and the latch bolt; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch bolt projecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends of the slot when the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminal portion substantially paralleling the path of movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of said mounting member.

4. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movable with respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of the elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in a path corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movement of the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the mounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient means urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position and to a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latch bolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch bolt and the mounting member; a pivoted latch actuating member carried by the support for rotating the latch bolt; said latch bolt having a slot extending generally radially of the axis of movement of the latch bolt; a pin carried by the actuating member and cooperable with the slot for rotating the latch bolt; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch bolt projecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends of the slot when the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminal portion substantially paralleling the path of movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of said mounting member. a

5. In a'latch, -mecha nism for use with two elements relatively movable with respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted-on one of the elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in-a path corresponding substantially to the direction of rela tive movement of the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the mounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient means urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position and to a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latch bolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch boltv and the mounting member; a pivoted latch actuating member carried by the support for rotating the latch bolt; said latch bolt having a slot extending generally radially of the axis of movement or the latch bolt; a pin carried by the actuating member and cooperable .with the slot for rotating the latch bolt; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch bolt projecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends of the slot when the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminal portion substantially paralleling the path of movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of said mounting member; the operative portion of the slot, when the latch bolt is projected, extending in a direction such that a retracting force on the latch bolt urges the actuating member in a direction corresponding to projection of the latch bolt.

6. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movable with respect to each other; a support adapted to be mounted on one of the elements; a pivoted mounting arm; an adjustable stop for limiting movement of the arm in one direction; resilient means urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the arm about an axis fixed with respect to the arm and the latch bolt, said latch bolt having a finger, the latch bolt being movable to a projected position in which the finger extends substantially normal to the path of movement of the arm adjacent said stop and to a retracted position; a lever carried by the support for rotating the latch bolt while the arm is against said stop; said latch bolt having a slot extending generally radially of the axis of movement of the latch bolt; said lever having a pin engaging in the slot; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the lever toward latch bolt projecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends or the slot when the latch bolt is projected; the operative por' tion of theslot, when the latch bolt is projected; extend ing substantially parallel to the path of movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of said arm.

7. Ina latch mechanism for use with two'elements relatively movable with respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of theelements; a pivoted mounting arm; an adjustable stop for limiting movement of the arm in one direction; resilient meansnrging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the arm about an axis fixed with respect to the amend the latch bolt; said latch bolt having a finger, the latch bolt being movable to a projected position in which the finger extends substantially'normal to the path of movement of the arm adjacent said stop and to a retracted position; a lever carried by thevsupport for rotating the latch bolt while the arm is against said stop; said latch bolt having a slot extending generally radially of the axis of movement of the latch bolt; said lever having a pin engaging'in the slot; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the lever toward latch bolt projectingposition so that the pin is spaced from the ends ofthe" slot'when the latch bolt is projected; the operative portion ofthe slot, when the latch boltis projected, extending substantially parallel to the path of movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains-its angular orientation upon adjustment of said arm; the operative portion of the slot, when thetlatchbolt is projected, extending in a direction such that the'line' of reaction'between themsorrelative-mevcment between the' latch bolt and the mounting member being fixed with r'espect to the latch bolt and the mounting member; "a latch "actuating member carried by the support -fo r rotating the latch 1 tion upon adjustment of'said mounting member; andirethe slot and the pin passeson that' side of the axis of the lever such that. movement of the latch bolt .urges the lever further toward the projected position; 1

8. In a latch mechanism for use with twoelements I relatively movable with respect, to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of the elements; amount ing member carried by the support for movement in a path corresponding substantially to the directionof relative movement of the elements; anadjustable stop for limiting the movement of the mounting member in' a.

direction toward the other element; resilientlmeans urging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt silient ineansurging the latch actuating member toward said latch bolt projecting position} 9.1a a latch structure: a plate; an arm pivotally mounted on one side of the plate; a screw adjustably mountedat one edgeof the plate and engageable with the arm' for limiting movement thefeofin one direction; a spring anchored to the arm and the-plate for urgin the arm toward said screw; a latch boltffixedly (pivoted on the arm at a place spaced from the axis of the arm and onsaid one side' of said plate for swihging move ment of an operative portion thereof to a'proj'eeted posi tion heyonds'aitl oneedge of the plate and to "aretracte ld position "in juxtaposed relationship to said plate'ga lever pivoted on the other side of said plate-Land having one end projecting'b'e'yond another edge of the plate; a pin carried at the other end: of said lever; said" latch bolt-hav- 30 ing a slot in which said pin is received; there being a slot in the plate to permit passageof said pin on opposite sides of said plate; the ends of said plate slot limiting opposite movement of thelever by engagement with said pin; single spring means connected to the plate and said lever determining stable-positionsof said lever at it's respective limiting positions; the latch bolt slot extending onopposite sides of the pin when the latch bolt is in projected position; and a handle having provisions for selectively mounting the plate ateither one of its sides without changing the relative" location of said one edge 7 of said plate alongthe handle.

References Cited .in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS L Bon Feb. 1, 1955 Eads Apr. 23, 1957