US2980460A - Door latch - Google Patents

Description

April 18, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL 2,980,460

nooR LATCH Filed June 2. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i April 18, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL DOOR LATCH 4 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed June 2, 1958 fg la' INVENTOR. d/zfI//Wf/fZ/fiezff @lyf f77-famme,

April 18, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL DOOR LATCH Filed June 2, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 LUN:

April 18, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL 2,980,460

DOOR LATCH Filed June 2, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 X225 1NVENTOR.

#MIL

DQOR LATCH Ronald W. Campbeli, Jackson, Mich., assigner to Hancock Industries, Inc., `lackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Fiied .lune 2, 1958, Ser. No. 739,14

15 Claims. (Cl. 292-280) This invention relates to latching mechanisms, and more particularly to latches adapted for use with automotive vehicle doors.

It s an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved latching mechanism which is especially adapted for multi-toothed rotary bolts `and which substantially minimizes the operational eort as well as the ftictional wear which occurs during use of the latch.

It is also an object to provide an improved latching mechanism having the above characteristics, which may be of the free handle type in which the outside handle is freely movable when in locked condition, the invention providing means whereby repeated closing of the door over a long period will not aect proper adjustment of the parts which might result in malfunctioning of the mechanism. Y

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved latching mechanism of the rotary bolt type in which the detent means has relatively little inertia, and will therefore have a relatively rapid latching response when the door is slammed.

It is another object, in one form of the invention, to provide an improved latching mechanism of this nature which incorporates a keyless or self-locking principle.

It is a further object, in another embodiment of the invention, to provide an improved latching mechanism of the above character which is lockable from the outside by key operation.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective elevational view of one form of the invention which incorporates keyless locking, the mechanism being viewed from the inside in its unlocked condition;

Figure 24 is a perspective view similar to Figure l showing the parts in locked condition; v

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the parts in unlocked condition, and illustrating the bolt and associated elements;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Figure 3 and showing the outside rollback and coupling member;

Figure 5 is a side elevational View taken in the direction of the arrow 5 of Figure 3 and showing the inside rollback;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in a momentary position described in detail below;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, of another embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-6 but is adapted for use with the rear door of a vehicle, the parts being shown in unlocked condition;

of the arrow 8 of Figure 7 and showing the outside rollback and coupling member;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 9 of Figure 7 and showing the inside rollback and locking lever;

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention which is similar to that of Figlures 1-6 but is adapted for outside locking by a key; an

Figure 11 is a side elevational View taken in the direction of the arrow 11 of Figure l0 and showing the outside rollback and associated parts.

In general terms, the invention comprises a latching mechanism having a mounting plate and a rotary multitoothed bolt, the mounting plate being adapted to be secured at the outer edge of a door so that the bolt projects therefrom and is rotatable on a horizontal axis. Detent means are provided for holding the bolt in latching position, this detent means comprising two members independently movabler on a ycommon pivot. The first of these members has a first arm engageable with the rotatable bolt and a second arm engageable by an inside rollback for movement toward its unlatching position. A second member of fthe detent means has `a first arm engageable by an outside rollback through a coupling member, and a second arm engageable with the second arm of said first member to urge the detent into unlatching position. The coupling member is shiftable between an unlocking position in abutting relation with said iirst larm of the second detent member, anda locking position in which it is freely movable without engaging said member. Locking means are provided for shifting the coupling member and this means, in one embodiment of the invention, includes a novel resilient connection which permits the door to be locked from the outside by slamming the door with the outside handle depressed and the coupling member in locking position. In an alternative embodiment, the locking means provides for keyoperated locking from the outside. In the embodiments of the invention intended for use on the front door of a vehicle, restoring means :are also provided in the form of a kick-off portion on one of the locking means elements engageable bythe irst detent means member when the door is slammed or is opened from the inside.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figures 1-6 show an embodiment of the invention especially adapted for use on the front door of an automotive vehicle and which has means for keyless or self-locking from the outside. The latch is generally indicated at 21 and'comprises a mounting plate generally indicated at 22 which is adapted to be secured at the outer or jamb edge of a vehicle door (not shown). Mounting plate 22 is of generally U-shaped construction, having a base portion 23, an outer flange portion 24, and an inner tlange portion 25, flanges 24 and 25 being formed on opposite sides of the base. A multi-toothed rotary bolt generally indicated at 26 is mounted on base 23, this bolt having a plurality of bolt teeth 27 disposed outwardly of the base, as seen in Figure 4, and a corresponding number of latching or detent teeth 28 as seen in Figures l and 2. Bolt 26 has a shaft 29 supported on a horizontal axis between base 23 and an outboard bearing plate 31, seen best in Figures 3 and 4, this bearing plate being in spaced parallel relation with base 23 and, secured thereto at its upper and lower ends. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a spring-urged takeup member 32 of wedged shape is slidably supported on a pin 33 carried' by the upper portion of plate 31, this takeup member being Figure 8 is a side elevational View taken in the direction Y spring-urged in a conventional manner against a keeper shown in dot-dash lines -at 34 in Figure 4 which is secured to the stationary pillar and is adapted to enter between bolt teeth 27 and member 32 when the door is closed.

,comprises 'a Vdetent member 37"*having a ,iirst/ arm 3,78

engageable fwith ratchet teeth' 28 anda's'e'cond"arm .39

which extendsthrougha rectangular slot 49 in ilange 25,

as seen in Figures 3 and 5. Arms 3S and 39 extend in opposite directions, arm 38 extending downwardly and toward ange 2 4, with'ratchet teeth 2S being'so shapedY that arm 3S willprevent counterclockwise' rotationof the bolt as seen in Figure 3' when detent member 37 is in its latching position. VA helical-spring 41 has one end Vsecured to base 23, the outer end of spring 41 engaging theV underside of arm 39, so that detent member'37 will be urged in latching direction, a stop 42 of resilient material Vlimiting the position of detent member 37 Vand minimizing noise Vwhen this member reaches its latching position. It will be noted, from anV examination of Figures land 2, that detent member 37 is closely adjacent tobase 23, and the upper edge 43 of arm .3S-is rounded in the manner.

y shown in Figure 3 for purposes which will later appear,

The other element of detent means v35 `comprises a transmittingand retaining lever 44 mounted on pin 36 outwardly of member 37. Lever 44 has a iirst arm 45 extending through ,a jslot 46'in flange 24, as seen in Figures 3'and 4, and a second larm 47 extending in the Y -4r end 72 of Vspring 68 rests on shoulder 67 and extends in spaced parallel relation with arm 66.

An inside rollback 73 is pivoted at 74 to an intermediate portion of ange 25, this rollback havinga downwardly extending arm 76 connectible to a link shown partially in dot-dash lines .at 77 which extends to an inside door handle (not shown). YRollback-73 has a second arm 7S extending toward base 23, this arm overlying arm'j39 ofl detent member 37; .Clockwise swinging of rollback 73 Vin Figure. 5 Vby inside handle operation will thus cause detent arm 38 to be withdrawn from latching teeth 28. Rollback76 ,isl preferably held in a neutral position lby conventional means (not shown) associated with the inside. door handle. j. A lock operatingflever 79 is pivoted at 81 to the upper portion of base23, this lever having an arm 82 Vextending .through a slot 83 in flange 25. LeverY 79 is mounted closelyladjacent to lbase V23 yand in substantially `the same plane Ias detent member 37. Inside rollback arm 78 is disposed beneath arm 82, s0. that counterclockwiseYmovement of the rollback vasseen in Figure 5 will result inclockwrise swinging of lever 79,

. as kseen in Figure 3. An overcenter spring 84 is con-v opposite direction from arm 45, arm 47 Vhaving -a Vtransversely bent outer end whichis `disposed above lan interf mediate portion of arm 39 on detent memberr. ,it will thus be seenthat when lever 44 is swung counterclock- Wise in Figure 3, it will cause detent arm 38 to. be withdrawn fromvratchet teeth 23, but that when detentmemf ber 37 is swungcounterclockwise by the inside handle ory by closing of the door, as will beV later described, lever44 will remain stationary. A raised retaining portion 4S is provided along the upper edge of lever arm 45, this portion'serving to retain and guide another element of the assembly as will appear below. 1

f Outer manually operable means -in the formtof a lever 49 is .pivoted at 51 adjacent'the lower end of tlange 24, as seen in Figure 4. This lever, which may be termed an outside rollback, is adapted to be connected. at one endl 52 with a compression type of link indicated in. dotdash lines at 53 which is operable by an outside .vehicle doorfhandle (not shown). Thistypeo'f handle is con# ventionally equipped with spring means urginglink 53 upwardly. The opposite end 54 of rollback 49 has a pivotal connection 55 member 56 which extends upwardly therefrom. The coupling member has a shoulder 57 formed at an intermediate portion, and an `elongated vertical slot 58 formed above the shoulder. Shoulder 57 is adapted to engage the underside of arm 45 immediately inwardly of flange 24 when the coupling Vmember is in its unlocking position, as shown in Figures l and 4. When in this position, clockwise movement of rollback 49 in Figure 4 will force coupling member 56 upwardly, swingingr detent means 35 to its unlatcln'ng position. y

A locking lever 59 is pivotally supported by a pin 61 at the upper end of flange 24, this lever having an arm 62 connectible with a link shown in dot-dash llines Vat 63 which is operable by an outside key station (not shown). Lever'59 has a downwardly extending arm 64 with a bent end portion 65 disposed withinsloty 58, so that counterclockwise movement of lever 59 as shown in Figure 4 will move coupling member 56 to its locking position, as seen in Figure 2, in which shoulder 57 is withdrawn from arm 45. When in this position, unlatching rotation ofrollback 49 will result in idling or ineffective movement loli coupling member 56. Locking lever 59 has a third arm 66 extending toward `base 23,V and a lateral shoulder 67 is bent from lever 59 at the inner end of arm 66. A helical leaf spring 68 is secured Iat itsinner end to lever 59 by retaining means 69 carried by a disc 71. T he outer with the lower end of a coupling nected between arm 82 and base 23V to hold lever 79 in either of its positions. lIt will Ybe understood, of course, that instead of having an inside rollback V73 shiftable in opposite directions from ,an initialV position, a separate button or lever could be connected directly to arm 82 to shift it between lockingV and unlocking positions, this lutton Vor lever beingV accessible from the insideof the oor.

Lever 79 has a second arm 85 extending toward flange '24, the outer end of thisarm beingy disposed between spring portion 72 and arm 66 of locking lever59. Lever arm`85,also has ya downwardly extending rounded restoring portion' 86 Whchwhen the lever is rswung clockwise `from its position shownin Figure 3 to the position Y shown in Figure 2,V is closely adjacent edge portion 43 of detent member 37, so that unlatching movement of the detent` member will restore lever 79 to its unlocking position las shown in Figures l and 3.-- Y

lIn operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 6, assuming an initial condition Vin which the parts are in theirunlocked position as shownin Figures land 4, and with the door closed, an operator Ydesiring to enter the car will operatelthe outside handle, causing clockwise rotation of rollback '49fas seen in Figure .4. Coupling member 56 will move upwardly, and shoulder 57 of the Vcoupling member will cause counterclockwise rotation of lever 44 as seen in Figure 3. This will cause detent member 37 to swing counterclockwise into its unlatching position so thatthe door. may be opened.V lUpon release of the outside handle, the parts will berestored to their previous position. When the door is closed, clockwise rotation of bolt 26-as seen in.-Figure 3 will momentarily move detent member 37 to: its unlatching position until arm 38 moves into latching relation with another tooth 28. During this movement, however, -lever44 will rem-ain stationary, thus yfacilitating the latching operation since the moving parts will have relatively little inertia.,

To lock the door yfrom the inside, the operator will cause inside rollbackV 73 to be` rocked counterclockwise from the neutral position shown in Figure 5. This will cause lever 79 to be rocked clockwisein Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 2, overcenter spring 84 holding the lever in this position with rollback 73 Vreturning to its neutral position. f This movement of lever 79 will cause v arm 85 thereof to engage arm 66, thus rocking .lever 59 Guide portion 48 of lever 44 will retain and guide restoring portion S6 of lever 79 during this movement.

Should the operator desire to leave the car, he will rock inside rollback 73 in -a clockwise direction -as seen in Figure 5, causing unlatching movement of detent member 37. At the same time, portion 43 of member 37 will engage portion 86 of Ylever 79, rocking this lever counterclockwise in Figure 3 to the position shown 4in Figure 2. Arm 85 will engage end 72 of spring 68, this spring being substantially stiffer than spring 84. This will cause lock-ing lever 59 to swing to its unlocking position as shown in Figures l and 4, assuming that the outside handle is not depressed lat this time. Coupling member 56 will thus be restored to its unlocking position, with shoulder 57 in opposed relation with arm 45 of lever 44. After the operator has left the car, he may close the close door without depressing the outside handle, in which case detent member 37 will momentarily move to its unlatching position, the door remaining unlocked. If the operator thereafter desires to lock the door with the key, rotation of the kej,l in the key station will cause upward movement ofv link 63, rocking lever 59 counterclockwise as seen in Figure 4 so that goupling member 56 will move to its locked position. Lever 79 will at the same time move to its locked position, as shown in Figure 2.

Should the operator desire to lock the door without use of the key, he will momentarily operate the inside handle to swing rollback 73 counterclockwise in Figure 5, thus shifting coupling member 56 to its locking position. He will then depress the outside handle, holding coupling member 56 in its raised position, and while doing so will slam the door. When this occurs, lever *79 will be momentarily swung to its unlocking position as shown in Figure 6 by movement of detent member 37. However, the engagement of arm 85 with spring end '72 will not cause lever 59 to swing clockwise in Figure 4, since edge 87 of coupling member 56 will engage the side of arm 45, preventing counterclockwise movement of coupling member 56 as seen in Figure 6. Therefore, arm 35 will deflect spring 68, and as detent -arm 38 passes over the corresponding tooth 28, spring 68 will force lever 79 back to its locking position as seen in Figure 2, spring end 72 again engaging stop 67. 'I'he outside handle may now be released and coupling member l56 will return to its lower locked position as shown in Figure 2. To unlock the door from the outside, rod 63 will be operated from the key station to rotate lever 59 clockwise to the position shown in Figure 4.

It will be noted that in the opertion of latch 21 described above, no movement of coupling member 56 or its associated lever 44 will occur when the door is opened from the inside or when it is slammed. This will not only lessen the frictional wear on these parts but will insure that they stay in proper relationship during continued use. This is especially important since the location of shoulder 57 with respect to arm 45 must be accurately maintained in order to prevent malfunctioning of the latch when moved between locked and unlocked conditions. The arrangement which permits keyless locking of the latch is therefore simple and foolproof in its operation and will greatly reduce maintenance costs.

Figures 7-9 Aillustrate another embodiment of the invention which is `generally similar to that previously described but is especially adapted for use with rear vehicle doors in which both inside and outside handles are to be locked and which have no key locking provision. The latchig mechanism is generally indicated at 101 and comprises a mounting plate generally indicated at 102 having a base 103 and ilanges104 and 105. Since the main portions of the latch yare similar in structure `and `function to those of the previous embodiment, they will be brieily described. A bolt 106 is rotatably mounted on base 103 and cooperates with a detent member 107 pivotally mounted on the base, a transmitting lever 108 being mounted on a common pivot with member 107. An outside rollback 109 is pivoted on ange 104 and carries a coupling member 111 engageable with lever 108. A locking lever 1i12 is pivotally mounted on ange 104 and connected with coupling member 111, the locking lever having an arm 113 and a spring 114 in spaced parallel relation as in the previous embodiment. Lever 112, however, may omit the arm which would ordinarily be connected "with the key station as illustrated in the previous embodiment.

' An inside rollback 115 is pivoted at 116 on lange 105, this rollback having an arm 117 connectible with an inside handle (not shown) by a link shown partially in dot-dash lines at 118. Rollback 115 has a second arm 119 extending toward base 103 and overlying detent 107, as in the previous embodiment. In addition, a downwardly projecting locking extension 121 is provided on arm 119 for locking purposes as will be later described.

An inside locking lever 122 is pivoted at 123 on flange,

105, this loclc'ng lever having a lateral shoulder 124 which may be disposed in blocking relation beneath extension 121 of rollback 115 when locking lever 122 is shifted from its unlocking position as shown in Figure 9, in a clockwise direction to its locking position shown in dot-dash lines in this iigure. Locking lever 122 is adapted to be moved between locking and unlocking positions by a button or lever l(not shown) mounted on the Linside of the door and connected to the locking lever by la link shown partially in dot-dash lines at 125. The upper portion of locking lever 122 has an inclined slot 126 within which is disposed the outer end of an arm 127 formed on a lock operating lever 128 pivotally mounted on base 103. This lever corresponds with lever 79 ofthe previous embodiment and has an arm 129 disposed between arm 113 and spring 114 of lever 112. The position of slot 126 is suchthat when lever 122 is swung from its unlocking to its locking position, lever 128 will be cammed clockwise in Figure 7, thus swinging coupling member 111 to its locking position. An overcenter spring 131 is connected between base 103 and lever 128 as in the previous embodiment. However, it will be noted that no restoring portion is formed on lever 128, arm 129 not being engageable by unlatching movement of detent member 107 even when lever 128 is in its locking position. Thus, the parts will remain in locked position even when the door is slammed.

In operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 7-9, the door may be opened from the outside or inside as in the previous embodiment. To lock the door, locking lever 122 will be swung to its dot-dash line position in Figure 9, thus locking inside rollback 117 against unlatching movement and at the same time withdrawing coupling member 111 from its operative relation with lever 100. It will be noted that the advantages described with respect to the two-piece detent means in the previous embodiment will also be present in the latch illustrated in Figures 7-9, since slamming of the door or opening from the inside will not be accompanied by movement of coupling member 111 or lever 108. It will also be noted that ir" the door is slammed after latch 101 is moved to locked condition, the door will remain locked regardless of whether the outside door handle is depressed. Spring 114 and its associated parts will therefore not serve the same function as described with respect to latch 21, but are illustrated in order to indicate how standardized parts may be used for front and rear door latches incorporating the principles of the invention.

Figures l0 and il illustrate still another embodiment of the invention generally similar to the previous embodiments but which is especially adapted for the front door of a vehicle in which locking is to be accomplished from the outside only by key operation. The latch is generally indicated at 201 and comprises a mounting plate generally indicated at 202, this mounting plate having a base 203 and flanges 204 and 205. A bolt 206 is mounted on base 202 and has a detent member 207 for cooperaitliierewithflever A208l isumounted on a common "embodiment of Figures 1-6. An outside rollback 212,' is pivoted on the lower, portion of ange 294, kand a locking lever 213'.is,pivoted to therupper portion of tlange 21M.' Thelocking lever is adapted to be actuated bya link partiallyindicated in dot-dashlines at 214 which is An inside rollback 209V isV will 4alsoY result in restoring of coupling member 2718 to unlockedposition.

i yLocking -from the outside :may be'accoimplished by means of thev key station, upward movement of link 214 causing counterclockwise movement of lever 213 from the position shown Yin Figure ll, and thuslmoving coupling connected with a key station (not-shown) accessible from Y the outside of the door., 'fhe'oppositeV end'of lever 213 has a pair of ,rigid arms 215 in spaced parallel relation, these arms defining a slot 216 within which one end of .lever 211 is disposed, as seen in Figure ll. A stop 217 is formed on flange 204 whichlimits kthe clockwise or unlocking position of lever 213. Y Y

VSt'ckzoupling member 21Sv is pivoted at 219 to the innerend of rollback 212, this coupling member extending upwardly from its connection with rollback 212 and having aV iinger 221 engageable by an arm 222 of lever 213 when thisV lever is swung counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure vll. Coupling member 218 is further provided with a shoulder4223 which is disposable beneath one end Aof lever 208 when the coupling member is in its unlocking position as shown in Figure l1. A positioning surface224 is formed on coupling member 21S, this surface taking the kform of a shoulder extending transversely from the inner end of shoulder 223. The purpose of surface 224 is to limit the position of coupling member 218 in its unlocking position, this position being such that iinger221 Will berspaced fromVV arm-222. ln this manner, vertical reciprocation of coupling member 218 dtu'ing unlatching of the door rom fthe outside -will not be accompanied by frictional contact between finger 221 and the lateralfend of arm 222.v A spring 225 is mounted on pin 219Vand engages rollback 212 and coupling member 218 so as to urge the coupling member counterclockwise in Figure ll towards its unlocking position. i

ln operation of the emoodimentlshown in Figures l0 and ll, when it is desired to open the door from the out- ,l side, rollback 212 will be pivotedclockwise in Figure ll, causing shoulder 223 to swing lever 208 and detent member 2&7 counterclockwiserin 'Figure l0, unlatching the door. During this movement, as indicated aboveiinger 221 will not rub against arm 222, thus maintainingthese parts in friction-free relation. Opening of the door from the inside may be accomplished by rocking inside rollback 209 to move detent member 297 to its unlatching position, lever 26S and coupling member 213 remaining stationary.y The latch may be moved to its locking position by-'opposite rotation ofinside rollback 29, causing lever 211 to moveY clockwise in Figulre l0, lever 213 moving counterclockwise in Figure il so that arm 222 engages iinger'221 toV withdraw shoulder 223 from opposed relation with lever 208. For this purpose, overcenter spring 226 which holds lever 211 in position will be substantially stiffer than spring 225.. The restoring portion 227 of lever 211 will be disposed adjacent detent member 207 when lever 211 is in its locking position, as in the embodiment of Figures l-6. Witlrthe parts in this position, movementof the outside handie'will merely result in idling `movement of'rollback 212 and coupling mem-V Vber 218. VvTo restore theparts, to their unlocked position,V

Y slamming of thel door with the parts in locked position memberk 218'to its locked position. Assuming that the parts Aare in locked position andthe door is open, should the outside handle be inadvertentlydepressed While the door is slammed, the restoring means will cause levers 211 and 213 to move to their unlocking position, with arm 222 moving away fromy finger 221. Spring225 will urge edge 228 of coupling member 21,8 against lever 221, and the parts will remain in this position until the outside handle is released, at which time coupling member 21S Willmove downwardly by virtue of springmeans (not shown) previously mentioned which are Yassociated with the outside handle. As soon as shoulder 22,3 clears lever 26S, spring` 22S will urge lcoupling member 21S counterclockwise into its unlocking position. .It Vwill thus be seen thatthe parts cannot be damaged` by inadvertent depression` of the i outside handle when the vdoor is slammed, even though kthis will have Vno effect as far as locking is concerned. The lock shown inV Figures l0 and ll could `of course be adapted for rear door use by incorporation of -a` locking lever similartov that indicated at 122 in they embodiment of Figures 7-9 yand elimination of the restoring feature.

While it will be apparent that the `pre-ferredembodiments of the inventionV disclosed are Well calculated to fulll the yobjects above stated, yit will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tok modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: l 'Y n y Y l. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a' rotatable multi-toothed bolt on said mounting plate, detent means carried by said mounting plate and comprising a detent member and a transmitting lever on a common pivot, Ysaid detent member having7 an arm engageable with said bolt and movable between latchingV and unlatching positions, a secondl arm on said detentmeinber', an inside rollback carried on said Vmounting plate and engageable with lsaid second arm to fmove said detent member to uni latching posltlon, overlappingY portions on said detent member and transmitting-lever whereby 'movement Vof said lever-1n one direction Will cause unlatchingmovement of said detent member, an outside rollback Vcarried by said mounting plate, means connecting said outside Yrollback and transmitting lever, and locking means for causing said connecting means to be separated from said transmitting lever, whereby said connecting means Will be Vinelective to move said lever-when said outside rollback is operated.

2. In a latchingmechanism, a mounting plate having a base and rst and second flanges at opposite sides of said base, a rotary multi-toothed bolt on said base, detent means on said base comprising a detentxmember and a transmitting leverfon acommon pivot,:said detent member havmg a first arm engageable with said bolt and movable between J latching and unlatching positions, a second arm on said detent member extending towards said lirst ange, an insidel rollback on said rst flange engageable with said secondarm of the detent member to move Y the detent member toward unlatching position, overlapping portions on said detent member and transmitting lever whereby movement of th-e transmittinglever in one direction will cause saidV detent member to'move to unlatching position,' an outside rollback mounted on said second ilange, means connecting Vsaid outside rollback with said lever, and locking means movable to a position separating said connecting means from said lever and thus renderlngsaid connecting means ineiective to transmit motion from said outside rollback to said-lever.

. 3.'.The combination according to claim 2, said overlapping portions ron the detent member and transmitting lever comprising an arm on said transmitting'lever hav- 9. ing a portion overlapping said second detent member arm.

4. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and first and second anges on opposite sides of said base, a rotary multi-toothed bolt carried by said base, detent means carried by said base comprising a detent member and a transmitting lever independently mounted on a common pivot, a irst arm on said detent member engageable with said bolt and movable between latching and unlatching positions, an inside rollback mounted on said first flange, a second arm on said detent member engageable by said inside rollback to move the detent member to unlatching position, overlapping portions on said detent member and transmitting lever whereby movement of the transmitting lever in one direction will cause unlatching movement of said detent member, an outside rollback mounted on said second flange, a coupling member extending between said outside rollback and said transmitting lever, and locking means for moving said coupling member between a transmitting position and a non-transmitting position with respect to said lever.

5. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with a lock operating lever pivotally mounted on said base and connected to said coupling member, said lock operating lever being movable between a locking position causing said coupling member to assume its non-transmitting position, and an unlocking position urging said coupling member towards its transmitting position, a restoring portion on said lock operating lever, and a portion on said detent member engageable with said restoring portion when the detent member is moved to its unlatching position to shift said intermediate locking lever to its unlocking position.

6. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a rotary multi-toothed bolt on said mounting plate, detent means on said mounting plate movable between latching and unlatching positions with respect to said bolt, a rollback movably supported by said mounting plate, a coupling member between said rollback and said detent means, a locking lever pivotally supported by said mounting plate and movable between an unlocking position in which said coupling member is effective to couple said rollback and detent means, and a locking position in which said coupling member is ineffective to couple said rollback and detent means, a lock operating lever pivotally carried by said mounting plate, said lock operating lever being movable between locking and unlocking positions, a restoring portion on said lock operating lever in the path of said detent means when said lock operating lever is in its locking position, whereby unlatching movement of said detent means will move said lock operating lever to its unlocking position, an arm on said locking lever, and a spring on said locking lever in spaced relation with said arm, one end of said lock operating lever being disposed between said arm and spring of the locking lever whereby movement of said lock operating lever towards its unlocking position when said locking lever is in its locking position will be yieldably opposed by said spring.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said detent means comprising a detent member and a transmitting lever on a common pivot, said detent member having an arm engageable with said bolt, said transmitting lever being engageable by said coupling member when in its eective position, and overlapping portions on said transmitting lever and detent member, whereby movement of said transmitting lever in one direction will cause unlatching movement of said detent member.

8. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and a liange, a multi-toothed rotary bolt on said base, detent means on said base engageable with said bolt and movable between latching and unlatching positions, said detent means having an arm extending towards said ange, a rollback mounted on said ange, a coupling member pivoted on said rollback and extending towards said arm, a shoulder on said coupling member, the coupling member being swingable between an unlocked position in which said ,shoulder is in opposed relation with said arm and a locked position in which said shoulder is clear of said arm, the coupling member also being shiftable to unlatching position, a locking lever pivoted on said iiange, a slotted connection between said locking lever and coupling member, the locking lever being swingable between locked land unlocked positions to move said coupling member between its locked and unlocked positions, a surface on said coupling member in opposed relation with said arm when said coupling member is swung to its locking position and shifted to its unlatching position, an arm and a spring in spaced relation on said locking lever, and av lock operating member carried by said mounting plate and having a portion disposed between said arm and spring, movement of said lock operating member in one direction causing engagement with said arm to swing said locking lever to its locking position, movement of said lock operating member in the other direction causing engagement with said spring to yieldably urge said locking lever towards its unlocked position.

9. The combination according to claim 8, said spring comprising a helical leaf spring having its inner end fastened to said locking lever, a flat portion at the outer end of said spring in spaced parallel relation with said arm, and a stop on said locking lever limiting the movement of said flat portion towards said arm.

l0. The combination according to claim 8, said lockYV operating member comprising a lever pivoted on said base and movable between locking and unlocking positions, and an overcenter spring for holding said lock operating lever in either of said positions, said locking lever spring being substantially stiffer than said overcenter spring.

1l. The combination according to claim 10, further provided with a restoring portion on said lock operating lever and in closely `adjacent relation with said detent means when the lock operating leveris in its locking position, whereby unlatching movement of said detent means will restore said lock operating lever to its unlocking position.

l2. The combination according to claim 8, said detent means comprising a detent member and a transmitting lever on a common pivot, said detent member having an arm engageable with said bolt, said transmitting lever being engageable by said coupling member and having a one-way connection with said detent member, said lock operating member comprising a lever pivoted on said base, said detent member and lock operating lever being mounted in the same plane and having substantially the same thickness, said transmitting lever being mounted alongside said 4detent member on the side thereof remote from said base, and ya retaining portion on said transmitting lever extending toward and partially overlapping said lock operating lever, whereby said lock operating lever will be guided and retained by said lretaining portion during its movement.

13. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and a ilange, a rotary multi-toothed bolt carried by said base, detent means on said base movable between latching and unlatching positions with respect to said bolt, said detent means comprising a detent member and a transmitting lever on a common pivot, said detent member having an arm engageable with said bolt, a second arm on said detent member, an inside rollback carried on said mounting plate and engageable with said second arm to move said detent member to -unlatchin-g position, an arm on said detent means extending towards said flange, an outside rollback pivoted on said flange, -a coupling member pivoted to one end of said -rollbck and extending towards said last mentioned arm, a rst shoulder on said coupling member, the coupling member being swingable ii l between` an Vunlocked `positionin which said `slioilder is in'opposed relation with saidarrn and a locked position pling member toits lockedposition, the position of said Vsecond shoulder being such that said finger is spaced from said first locking lever arm when lthe locking lever and t coupling member are Vintheir unlocked positions and when'said couplingA member is shifted ,in an unlatching direction, and means forshifting said locking lever be-v tween itspositions. A

14. The combinationV according toY claim 13, said lastmentioned meanscomprising a lock operating lever pivoted on said base and movable between locking and unlock-Y ing positions, a second arm on said locking Alever connected to one end of said lock operating lever, and a Y restoring portion on said lock operating levery disposable in closely Iadyacent'relation `with said detent member when thel lock operating lever is moved to its unlocking position. Y Y n o ,Y Y

15. In a latehing mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and first and second anges, on opposite-,sides ofk said base, a multi-toothed rotary bolt on saidbase, detent means on saidbase engageable with said bolt and movable between latehing and unlatching positions, said detentmeans comprising a detent member and aV transmitting lever on a common pivot,vsaid detent member hav-Y ing a portion engageable Withesaid bolt and movable be- Y 12 tween latching and unlatching positions,A a first 4arm on said detent means extending toward said iirst flange, an outsideY rollback on said llange, coupling means between said outside rollback and' detent l,meansV arm, locking means movably carried by saidmounting plate f and shiftable between an unlocking positionV in lwhich said coupling means is leieetive to transmit movement between said outside rollback and detent means,` and a Vlocking position in whichV said vcoupling means is ineffective to transmit said movement, a second arm on said detent means vextending towards said second flange, an inside rollback pivoted on said secondrange and engagea-ble with said second arm to move the detent means to unlatching position, an inside locking lever'fpivoted on Vsaid second ange, a blocking portion on said inside locking lever, the inside locking `lever being movable between a ylocking position in which said blocking portion is in obstructing relation with a portion of said inside rollback to prevent `unlatching movement thereof, and an unlockingxposition in which said blocking portion is'clear of said inside rollback,'an inclined slot formed on said linside locking` lever, and a ilock operating lever pivoted on said base and having a'rst arm disposed within said slot and a second arm connectedwith said locking means, the shape of said inside locking Ilever slot being such that movement of the inside lockinglever towards its locking position will cause shifting of said lock operating lever to move said locking means to its locking position.

References CitedinV the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,468,644' 'springer Apr. 26, 1949 2,624,605 Dmgman et a1. Y Jan. 6, 1953 2,797,120 Roemer June 25, 1957

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