US2930647A

US2930647A - Latch mechanisms

Info

Publication number: US2930647A
Application number: US693934A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert M Adamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-11-01
Filing date: 1957-11-01
Publication date: 1960-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 1977-03-29

Description

March 29, 1960 R. M. ADAMSON 2,930,647

LATCH MECHANISMS Filed Nov. 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-1 FIG-2 16 ML we 26 4! 42 H 1: I 25 2s I6 M FIG-3 I I8\: :\I9 226 66 I O I 73 6 GOG/'75 2s 24 'n' '7a --|7 H2 64 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent LATCH MECHANISMS Robert M. Adamson, Kettering, Ohio Application November 1, 1957, Serial No. 693,934

14 Claims. (Cl. 292-166) This invention relates to latch mechanisms for doors and the like.

The invention has particular relation to latch mechanisms of the type wherein the latch bolt is operated by a member such as a push button or bar which is constructed and arranged to move normally of the door rather than rotationally as in the case of a conventional door handle or knob.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism of the above type which is of improved and novel construction incorporating component parts of individually simple construction and which also is capable of assembly and maintenance with minimum requirements of time and effort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch mechanism of the above type wherein the space requirements for the operating parts are so small that the latch is readily usable in doors of small thickness and needs only the simplest type of mounting openings in the door.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a latch mechanism as outlined above wherein the component parts are to the maximum extent interchangeable for use on either the inner or outer side of the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a push button latch mechanism wherein the operating connection between the push button and the latch bolt is formed by a cam plate constructed and arranged to pivot about a vertical axis in response to inward movement of the push button and to draw the bolt inwardly of the door in the course of such pivoting movement.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a latch as outlined above which incorporates an effective locking mechanism, and particularly to provide such a locking mechanism which will prevent release of the door from the outside but which will automatically release when the door is actuated from within.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a door incorporating a push button latch mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged view looking edgewise at the door of Fig. 1 and showing the latch mechanism mainly in elevation but with portions of the handles broken away;

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged horizontal section through the latch mechanism of Fig. 2 taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 8 but showing the latch bolt in latching position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 to show details of the latch bolt assembly;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another form of latch bolt assembly;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 7-'7 of Fig. 8 p

showing the latching bolt retracted to released position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 8-8 of Fig.7;

Fig. 9 is a detail view taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 but with the locking mechanism removed;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the locking mechanism in place;

Fig. 11 is a view showing details of the lock mechanism apart from the housing and looking in the direction indicated by the line 11-11 of Fig. 8 with the mechanism in unlocked position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 with the locking mechanism in locked position;

Fig. 13 is another view similar to Fig. 11 illustrating the operation of the lock mechanism and also having a portion broken away to show details of internal construction; and

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1414 of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door indicated generally at 15 in Fig. 1 is shown as of the type constructed from extruded aluminum parts, and it includes a side rail 16 having an outer edge Wall 17' which is indented with respect to its outer and

inner side walls

18 and 19. The door rail 16 has a pair of outer and

inner handles

20 and 21 mounted on opposite sides thereof, and each includes an enlarged

housing portion

22 and 23, respectively, at the upper end thereof. These

housing portions

22 and 23 support the

push buttons

24 and 25, respectively, for operating the latch mechanism as described hereinafter, and the outer housing 22 carries the lock barrel 26 for operating the locking mechanism of the latch as also described hereinafter. Since the two handles are preferably initially of identical construction for economy of manufacture, the housing 23 has a bore 27 matching the barrel 26, but this bore is not used and is simply closed with a plug 28. As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, these

handle units

20 and 21 are readily secured together and to the door by means of screws 29 inserted from the inner side of the door to prevent possible access to the locking mechanism from the outside of the door.

The latch bolt assembly is shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 as of the construction disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 693,933, filed of even date herewith, and it includes a latch bolt 33 of cylindrical construction having a beveled end face 34 for cooperation with the usual keeper plate 35 shown fragmentarily in Fig. 3. This bolt is a part of the bolt assembly which also includes a tubular housing having shouldered flanges 41 adjacent its outer end which seat on the end wall 17 of the door rail 16 and are attached thereto as by screws 42 to support the housing 40 within the door. The housing 40 is closed at its inner end and includes a guide pin 44 for the inner end of a coil spring 45, the outer end of which is received within the hollow inner end portion 46 of bolt 33.

. The bolt 33 is retained in guided relation Within the bolt housing 40 by means of a pair of pins 50 which slide in guide slots 51 in opposite sides of the housing 40, and these pins 50 are of special construction providing for assembly of the bolt and housing without the use of screws or rivets. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each pin 50 includes a T-shaped projecting lug 52 proportioned to be received within a complementary T-shaped slot 53 in the adjacent side of the bolt 33. In addition, each of slots 51 in the housing 40 is to receive the lugs 52, so that in assembling these parts, it is merely necessary to drop the spring in place within the housing, insert the bolt and press it in until the

slots

51 and 53 coincide, then insert the lugs 52 through the slots 51 into the slots 53, and releasethe bolt tothe biasing force of spring 45.

The latch bolt assembly of Figs. 4 and 5 has the ad-. vantage of being constructed and assembled without the p 3 necessity otemploying screws, rivets or the like, but other similar assemblies can be used in the latch mechanism such, for example, as that shown in Fig. 6. In this unit, the latch bolt 55 is provided with tapped holes on opposite sides which receive pins 56 having threaded inner end portions. The housing 57 may be'identical with the housing 40 except that the slots 58 for receiving the pins 56 should be of uniiorm width to prevent possible turning otthe bolt.

In order to operate the latch assembly, the invention provides an operative connection between the

push buttons

24 and 25 and the pins 58 such that whenever either push button is pressed inwardly of the door, its associated pin 56 will be moved in the direction to retract the bolt 33 within its housing 4%. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 7, the main component of the operative connection between the push button 24 and its associated pin 58 is a cam plate 60' which is pivoted at its outer end on a pin 61 carried by a guide plate 62 se cured within the housing -22 by a spring-pressed detent pin 63 and cooperating bore 64. At its inner end, the cam plate 60 includes an arm or finger 65 adapted to engage a follower roller 66 free on the adjacent pin 56.

The cam plate 69 is provided with a cam slot Til which includes a short straight section at its outer endfollowed by a curved section. This slot "18 receives a drive pin 71 which is carried by the push button 2-: and also hides in aguide slot 72in the guide plate 62, the push button being largely hollow as shown and also including entensions 73 on only the top and bottom thereof which telescope with the guide plate 62 to carry the drive pin 71. Thus when the push button 24 is pressed inwardly of the door, to the right as viewed in Fig. 7, the drive pin 71 will act through the cam slot 71 to swing the cam plate till in counterclockwise direction so that its end finger 65 will act through its associated roller 66 and pin. 50. to retract the bolt 33. The push button 24 is normally biased to its outer position by a spring 75 mounted internally thereof in cooperation with a guide pin 77 on the outer end of the guide plate 62.

The push button 25 on the inside of the door is pro vided with an operative connection to the bolt 33 which is identical with that just described-for the push button 24. The component parts of this connection have accordingly been identified as till, 61 and so forth, and they operate in the same manner as just described in connection wtih Fig. 7. As is also shown by Fig. 7, however, the push button 25 and its associated parts do not move when the push button 24 moves and instead are held in their normally retracted positions through the action ofthe spring 75.

The configuration of the cam slot 71 is dictated primarily by practical considerations. If it were straight but extending at an oblique angle to the plane of the door in the normal position ofthe cam plate 60, the mechanism would operate similarly, but the action would be more rapid, requiring a very short stroke of push button 24, and correspondingly less smooth as well as less free from friction. The combined straight and arcuately curved configuration as shown is therefore preferred.

The invention provides means for locking this latch assembly from either side of the, door-in such manner that the latch bolt 33 can not be released from the-cutside. o-f'the door except with a key but can be released from the inside of the door by simply pressing the push button 25. Referring particularly to Figs. 9-l4,' the locking mechanism includes a supporting plate 100 which is mounted in a recess in the inner face of the housing 23:15 by means of screws 101. The plate 100 is slotted on its face adjacent the housing to form a vertical slideway 102 for alocking slideltlS which includes a finger 106 extending upwardly through a slot 107 in housing 23 to a position above the housing for manual actuation of the locking mechanism. Theslide 105cmries a pivot pin 189 for the main locking member 110, and this member 110 includes a depending arm 111 which rides in a receiving slot 112 in the follower roller 66', this connection being such that whenever the bolt 33 moves, the arm 111 will be carried therewith to rock the member 110 about its pivot 109.

The slide 105 is cap-able of vertical movement in the slideway 102 between the limit positions shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and these positions are established by means of a pin 1 13 projecting from the plate 14H within a slot 114 in the adjacent edge of the member 110. In addition, the member 110 includes a catch part or tang 115 parallel with its arm 111 which is adapted to fit over the finger 65 on the cam plate 60' when the slide 105 is in its lower position which is its locking position. Retention of the slide 105 in its locking and unlocked positions respectively is facilitated by the detent mechanism 116 (Fig, 13) and its associated notches in the edge face of slide 105.

When the slide 1115 is in its raised or unlocked position shown in Fig. 11, the member 110 has no effect on the operation of the latch mechanism, and when either ofthe push buttons 24 and 25 i pressed, the member 110 will simply pivot as shown in Fig. 11 as the bolt 33 moves in and out. When the slide 105 is lowered to its locking position shown in Fig. 12, it prevents release of the latch bolt by the push button 24, and this action results from the fact that the tang 115 books over the cam plate finger 65' and thus requires that the cam plate 65) move conjointly with any movement of the cam plate 60 resulting from pressure on the push button 24. However, such movement of cam plate 60 is impossible without inward movement of push button 25, because the drive pin 71 is initially in the straight outer end portion of cam slot 70' so that the cam plate 60 is effectively locked against any pivoting movement so long as push button 25 remains stationary, as will be apparent from inspection of Fig. 7, a condition which would not obtain it the slot 70 were uniformly curved instead'ofhaving the short straight outer end portion described;

A different action takes place when push button 25 is pressed with the slide 195 in locking position. The

. cam plate 60 will be pivoted by the sliding movement of the drive pin 71' in slot 79', and at the same time, the member will be pivoted as shown in Fig. 13 on its pivot pin 109 and will also rock as a lever on the pin 113 as a fulcrum. The result of this movement will be to force the slide 105 to its upper or unlocking position, so that when the push button 25 is subsequently released, the latch mechanism will remain unlocked.

This locking mechanism is also operable from the outside of the door by means of the lock barrel 26', which may be of any conventional type requiring rotation of the key through. 90 for locking or unlocking movement following by reverse turning through the. same are before the key can be withdrawn. This lock barrel is connected by a shaft 120 with a disk 121 which is rotatable within the. circular opening 122 in the supporting plate 100. The disk 121 carries an offset pin 123 which is received within the rectangular slot 124 in the slide 105. The operationof-this disk is as follows.

In the normal position of the lock barrel wherein the key can be inserted or withdrawn, the pin 17.3 lies in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 120, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. To lock the lock, the disk 121 is rotated 90 in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 11, during-which movement the pin 123 rides on the lower edgeof the slot 123 and forces the slide to its locking position shown in Fig. 12, this position of the pin being shown in dotted lines in Pg. 12. The disk 121 is then returnedto its normal position for withdrawal of the key, but during this movement, the pin 123 simply rides through the. open space in slot 124 anddoes. no affect 1 slide 105.

To unlock the lock with the key, it is simply necessary to follow the reverse sequence of movements beginning with rotation of the disk through 90 in counterclock- Wise direction as viewed in Fig. 12. The pin 123 there fore cams against the upper edge of slot 124 to raise the slot to the position shown in Fig. 11, after which the pin is again returned to its normal position for withdrawal of the key. It will also be apparent that means could be provided for rotating disk 121 from the inside of the door to operate the lock otherwise than with arm 106, as by substituting for plug 28 a rotatable disk connected with the disk 121.

It will accordingly be seen that the invention provides a latch mechanism having outstanding advantages of simplicity and practicability. For example, the component parts of this mechanism are to a maximum extent interchangeable between the inside and outside of the door, so that only single sets of such parts need be made and it is unnecessary to provide rights and lefts, and also these parts are of configurations lending themselves to production by economical methods such as molding from powdered metal. In fact, the only difference between the component parts on the inside and outside of the door lies in the holes for the mounting screws 29, which are drilled through and counterbored in the inside handles and drilled blind and tapped in the outside handles, and in the slot 107 if the arm 106 is used for inside operation of the lock. Similarly the onlychange in the lock mechanism to adapt it to either side of the door is to turn over the member 110 on its pivot 109 and to turn over the cam plate 60 to the positionof the plate 60 in Fig. 7. In this case the pin 117 will function in place of the pin 113, but all other parts will remain the same. It is also extremely easy to adapt the mechanism for the proper opening direction of the door, since this simply requires insertion of the bolt 33 in its housing 40 with its beveled end 34 facing in the correct direction.

Among other major advantages of the invention as a whole is the simplicity with which it can be mounted on a door, and particularly the simplicity of the operations required on the door itself. More specifically, the latch bolt assembly requires only a single circular hole in the edge of the door suflicient to receive the housing 40 therein, and this fact applies to either a hollow door such as shown at 20 or a conventional wooden door. It is therefore merely necessary then to provide through holes in the door for the screws 29 and shaft 120 and holes or slots of sufficient size for access to the slots 51 in the bolt housing 40 for mounting the pins 50 in place and their subsequent sliding movements.

The locking mechanism of the invention ofiers material advantages in addition to its simplicity and positive operation. Since it is released automatically by simple depression of the inside push button in the normal manner for opening the door, it provides assurance against the dangers of panic. On the other hand, this lock mechanism is also of such nature that the door cannot be closed if it is locked, thus making it impossible for the door to be accidentally closed in locked condition with the key unavailable, since the key is essential for locking the door from the outside. This same structural feature also makes it impossible for the lock to be forced from the outside, since the bolt is effectively deadlocked and cannot be forced back until the lock has been released.

It will of course also be apparent that it is not essential to the latch mechanism of the invention that it be provided with push buttons per se, since any other form of reciprocable operating member could be used as the drive means, and also the push buttons or equivalent members could be connected for operation by additional parts. The illustrated construction, however, is particularly neat as well as simple and economical to manufacture and install. In addition, the illustrated construction offers the further advantages of ready access for maintenance, and particularly for the replacement by exchange of any desired parts. While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A mechanism for operating a latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within a bolt housing, comprising an operator plate having a cam slot with opposed cam surfaces of substantially complementary contour formed therein, a

guide member mounted adjacent said operator plate and having a guide slot extending along the length thereof at substantially right angles to the axis of said bolt, a pin extending through said operator plate and said guide member to form a pivot axis for said operator plate, an operator arm on the end of said operator plate removed ;from said pivot pin for cooperative engagement with said bolt, a push button supported for reciprocating movement parallel with said guide slot, and a drive pin carried by said push button and extending through said cam slot and said guide slot for movement with said push button in said guide slot causing said drive pin to act against said cam surfaces and pivot said operator plate to operate said bolt.

. 2. A mechanism for operating a reciprocably mounted latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within a bolt housing, comprising an operator plate having a first end mounted for movement about a fixed pivot axis spaced from the axis of said bolt, an operator arm integrally attached on a second end of said operator plate for cooperative engagement with said bolt, a cam slot in said operator plate having a straight portion beginning adjacent said pivot axis and extending radially of said pivot axis and a curved portion beginning at the end of said straight portion and terminating adjacent said operator arm, and drive means arranged for reciprocating movement normal to said bolt and including a drive pin extending into said slot for action against said curved cam portion of said slot to effect pivotal movement of said operator plate and longitudinal movement of said bolt into retracted position.

3. A mechanism for operating a latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within a bolt housing, comprising an operator plate having a first end mounted for movement about a fixed pivot axis normal to and spaced from the axis of said bolt, an operator arm integrally attached on a second end of said operator plate for cooperative engagement withsaid bolt, a cam slot in said operator plate having a straight portion beginning adjacent said pivot axis and extending radially thereof of said bolt and a curved portion beginning at the end of said straight portion, a guide member mounted adjacent said operator plate and having a guide slot extending along the length thereof at substantially right angles to the axis of said bolt, a drive pin extending through said cam and guide slots, drive means connected to said drive pin for effecting linear movement thereof in said guide slot to act against said cam surfaces and pivot said operator plate moving said bolt into retracted position, and biasing means between said guide plate and said drive means urging said drive pin toward a normal position in the straight portion of said cam slot.

4. A mechanism for operating a latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within a bolt housing, comprising an operator plate having a first end mounted for movement about a fixed pivot axis normal to and spaced from the axis of said bolt, an operator arm integrally attached on a second end of saidoperator plate for cooperative engagement with said bolt, a cam slot in said operator plate having a straight ning at the'end of said straightportioma guide member mounted adjacent said operator plate and having a guide slot extending along the length thereof at. substantially right angles to the axis of said bolt, a drive pin, extending through said cam and guide slots, drive means connected to said drive pin for efiecting linear movement thereof in said guide slot to act against said cam surfaces andpivot said operator plate moving said bolt into retracted position biasing means between said guide plate and said drive means urging said drive pin toward-a normal position in the straight portion, of said cam slot, and releasable'means for securing said operator plate to said bolt in; said normal position of said guide pin to block pivot ing movement of said operator plate in response to at-, tempted retracting movement of said bolt.

5. Alatch mechanism comprising a, latch bolt supported in a closure for reciprocating movement between an. advanced operative position and a retracted; release position, an operator plate on each side of said closure pivotally mounted on an axis extending normal to said bolt and parallel with said closure, each; said plate having an operative connection with said belt for effecting retracting movement of said bolt upon pivoting movement of. said plate, drive means for each said plate supported for reciprocating movement normally to said bolt and to said pivot axis to effect said pivoting movement of the associated said plate, releasable means for securing one of said operator plates to said bolt for movement therewith, and means for locking said one operator plate against said pivoting movement to bloclcoperation of said bolt by said drive means for the other said plate.

6. A latchmechanism comprising a latch bolt supported in a closure for reciprocating movement between an advanced operative position and a retracted release position, an operator plate on eachside of said clQSllre pivotally mounted on an axis extending normal; to said bolt and parallel with said closure, each said plate having an operative connection with said bolt for eifecting retracting movement of said bolt upon pivoting move-.

ment of said plate, means biasing each said plate to a retracted normal position, each said plate having a earnv slot therein including a curved inner portion and a straight outer portion extending substantially normal" to said closure in said normal position of said plate, drive means for each said plate supported for reciprocating movement normally to said bolt and said pivot axis and includinga drive pin engaging in said cam slot in the associated said plate to effect said pivoting movement of said plate, in response to said reciprocating movement of said drive means, and means normally biasing said pins. into said straight portion of said slots. 7

7. A latch mechanism comprising a latch bolt sup-j ported in a closure for reciprocating movement; between an advanced operative position and a retracted-release position, an operator plate on each side of; said closure pivotally mounted on an axis extending normal to said bolt and parallel with said closure, each said plate having an operative connection with said bolt for effecting retracting movement of said bolt upon pivoting movement of said plate, means biasing each said plate to a retracted normal position, each said plate having a cam slot therein including a curved inner portion andastraight outer portion extending substantially normal to said closure in said normal position ofsaid plate, drive means for each said plate supported for reciprocating movement normally to said bolt and said pivot axis and including a drive pin engaging in said cam slot in the associated: said plate to effect said pivoting movement of Said Plate in response to said reciprocating movement of said drive means, means normally biasingsaid pinsinto said straight portion of said slots, and releasable means for securing one of said operator plates to said boltfor. movement therewith to cause said straight portioniof'theassociated said cam slot and said drive pin therein to block pivoting movement of said plate and thereby to, block operation of said, bolt by said drive means for the other said plate.

8.. A, latch mechanism comprising a latch bolt sup ported in a closure for reciprocating movement between an. advanced operative position and a retracted release position, an operator plate on each side of said closure pivotally mounted, on an axis extending normal to said bolt and parallel with said closure, each said plate having an operative connection with said bolt for efiecting' ret-raetihg', movement of said bolt upon pivoting movement of said plate, means biasing each said. plate to, a retracted normal position, each, said plate having a cam slot therein including a curvedinner portion and a straight outer portion extending substantially normal to said closure; in said normal position, of said plate, drive means for each said plate supported for reciprocating movement normally to said bolt and said pivot axis and including a drive pin engaging in said cam slot in the associated said plate to, efiject said pivoting movement of said plate. in response to said recip fqcating movement of said drive means, means normally biasing said pins into said straight portion oi said slots, releasable, meansv for securing one of said operator plates to said bolt for movement therewith to cause said straight portion of the associated said cam slot and said drive pin therein to block pivoting movement of said plate and thereby to block operation of said bolt by said drive means for the other said plate, and. means responsive to movement of said one drive means for releasing said releasable means, to provide for sub,- sequent operation of said latch by either of said drive.

m ns

"9; A latch mechanism comprising a latch bolt supported in a closure for reciprocating movement between an advanced operative position and a retracted release position, an operator plate on each side of said closure pivotally mounted on an axis extending normal tosaid bolt and parallel with said closure, a radially projecting stud on each side of said bolt, an arm on each said operator plate overlapping the associated said stud to form operative connections between said plates and said bolt for elfecting retracting movement of said bolt upon pivoting movement of either of said plates, meansrbiasing each said plate to a retracted normal position, each said plate having a cam slot therein including a curved inner portion and a straight outer portion extending substan-, tially normal to said closure. in said normal position of said plate, drive means for each said plate supported for reciprocating movement normally to said bolt and said pivot axis and including a drive pin engaging in said cam slot in the associated said plate to efiect said pivoting movement of said plate in response to said reciprocating movement of said drive means, means normally biasing said pins into said straight portion ofsaid slots, a slide supported for movement on'one side ofsaid bolt between an unlocked position and a locking position, and

means on said slide effective in said locked position thereof tooverlap said arm onnthe adjacent said operator plate and the associated said stud to secure said plate to said bolt with; said straight portion of said cam slot in said plate cooperating with the associated said drive pin to block pivoting movement of said plate and thereby block operation of said bolt by said drive means for the other said plate. 7 a 7 10. The combination defined in claim 9 comprising a lever pivoted on said slide, means forming a swiveled slidable connection between said lever andsaid associated stud, andmeans on said slide forming a fulcrum for said lever responsive to operation of said drive means for said one plate to cause said lever to raise said slide to said unlocked position thereof. a

ll. A mechanism for operating a reciprocably mounted latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within the edge of a door, oo nprising atubular latch housing, means for mounting said housing on the side of the door normally of said bolt, a support receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof, means for retaining said support within said housing in the mounted position thereof on the door, an operator plate including a first end pivoted on said support on an axis extending normally to said bolt and to said housing, said operator plate including a portion spaced from said pivot axis for operative engagement with said bolt in response to pivotal movement of said plate on said axis, an operating button receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof and projecting from the outer end thereof, means accessible only from the inner end of said housing for retaining said button within said housing, and means forming an operative connection between said button and said plate for causing said pivotal movement of said plate in response to movement of said button inwardly of said housing.

12. A mechanism for operating a reciprocably mounted latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within the edge of a door, comprising a tubular latch housing, means for mounting said housing on the side of the door normally of said bolt, a support receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof, means for retaining said support Within said housing in the mounted position thereof on the door, an operator plate including a first end pivoted on said support on an axis extending normally to said bolt and to said housing, said operator plate including a portion spaced from said pivot axis for operative engagement with said bolt in response to pivotal movement of said plate on said axis, an operating button receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof and projecting from the outer end thereof, means forming a retaining connection between said button and said support limiting projection of said button from the outer end of said housing, and means forming an operative connection between said button and said plate for causing said pivotal movement of said plate in response to movement of said button inwardly of said housing.

13. A mechanism for operating a reciprocably mounted latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position with the edge of a door, comprising a tubular latch housing adapted for mounting on the side of the door normally of said bolt, a support receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof, means for retaining said support within said housing in the mounted position thereof on the door, an operator plate including a first end pivoted on said support on an axis extending normally to said bolt and to said housing, said operator plate including a portion spaced from said pivot axis for operative engagement with said bolt in response to pivotal movement of said plate on said axis, an operating button receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof and projecting from the outer end thereof, said operator plate having a cam slot therein, and a pin secured to said button and extending slidably within said slot to limit outward projection of said button from said housing and to cause said pivotal movement of said plate in response to movement of said button inwardly of said housing. l

14. A mechanism for operating a reciprocably mounted latch bolt from an extended latching position to a retracted non-latching position within the edge of a door, comprising a tubular latch housing adapted for mounting on the side of the door normally of said bolt, a support receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof,

means for retaining said support within said housing in the mounted position thereof on the door, an operator plate including a first end pivoted on said support on an axis extending normally to said bolt and to said latch housing, said operator plate including a portion spaced from said pivot axis for retracting engagement with said bolt in response to pivotal movement of said plate on said axis, an operating button receivable in said housing from the inner end thereof and projecting from the outer end thereof, said operator plate having a cam slot therein, a pin secured to said button and extending slidably within said slot for causing said pivotal movement of said plate in response to movement of said button inwardly of said housing, and a spring received between said support and said button for biasing said button outwardly of said housing and thereby normally maintaining said plate out of said retracting engagement with said bolt.

Hohagen Oct. 7, 1902 Crowther June 11, 1946