US3131958A

US3131958A - Push release latch

Info

Publication number: US3131958A
Application number: US212080A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce G Dunckel
Original assignee: SILVRAY LIGHTING Inc
Current assignee: SILVRAY LIGHTING Inc
Priority date: 1962-07-24
Filing date: 1962-07-24
Publication date: 1964-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1981-05-05

Description

y 5, 1964 B. G. DUNCKEL 3,131,958

PUSH RELEASE LATCH Filed July 24, 1962 BRUCE DUNCKEL BY fl ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 5, 1964 York riled July 24, 1962, Ser'. No. 212,639 9 Ciainrs. (Cl. 2915-99) This invention rel-ates to push release latches, that is a latch for a closure which can be disengaged by pushing the closure beyond the closed position, whereupon the closure is free to be moved to the open position.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a push release latch of simple construction, but which nevertheless is easy to operate and is dependable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a push release latch which is well suited for service on lighting fixtures as the latch releasably securing a lens panel in place below the light bulbs.

The manner in which these and other objects are attained according to the invention, be apparent from the following description.

According to the invention, a push release latch is provided tor first and second members which are movable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position. The latch includes a keeper assembly for mounting on said first member and having a keeper, and further includes a catch assembly for mounting on the second member and having a catch. The keeper assembly comprises a gate for the keeper and the gate is movable between a 'gate closed position in which the gate closes the keeper to engagement by the catch, and a gate open position in which the keeper is ex posed for engagement by the catch. The gate is normally closed when the catch and the keeper are disengaged. For engaging the latch, the catchassembly includes gate opening means for moving the gate to the gate open position and permitting engagement of the latch upon moving the first and second members into the closed position. For disengaging the latch, the keeper assembly is provided with withdrawing means and the catch assembly is provided with a cam surface for cooperation with said withdrawing means to eiiect the disengagement. Thus, upon pushing the said members beyond the closed position, the cam surface engages the withdrawing means and, in response to such engagement the catch is removed from the keeper, whereupon the gate moves to its normally closed position so that the keeper is closed to engagement by the catch. The members are then tree to be moved to the open position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second members are movable along an axis toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, and the latch comprises a keeper assembly including a keeper mounted on the first member, and a catch assembly including a catch mounted on the second member. The keeper assembly includes a face plate having an axially extending opening for receiving the catch for engagement of the latch, and the said opening has a peripheral edge portion forming the keeper. The keeper assembly further includes a gate for the keeper assembly opening, the gate being movable between -a gate closed position in which the gate closes the opening to the catch, and a gate open position in which the opening is exposed for receiving the catch. The gate is normally closed when the latch is disengaged.

The catch assembly includes an axially extending leaf spring secured at one end portion thereof to the said second member and extending from said one end portion toward said first member to termination in a free end portion as a head piece of the spring. The head has a surface inclined to the aforementioned axis and normally disposed across the axis. The front plate of the keeper assembly is positioned for engaging the inclined surface of the head upon movement of said members along the axis to the closed position and, thereupon, deflecting the head for travel over the front plate. Further, the gate includes means for engagement by the head, upon said movement to the closed position, :and shifting of the gate to the open position in response to such movement.

During the movement to the closed position, when the head registers with the op ning, the leaf spring presses the head into the opening. The head has a transverse surface forming the catch which then engages the keeper to hold the members latched.

The keeper assembly further includes means for withdrawing the catch from engagement with the keeper, and the head assembly has a cam surface for cooperation with the keeper assembly withdrawing means. Upon movement of the first and second members beyond the closed position, the withdrawing means engages the cam surface of the head and deflects the head to withdraw it from the keeper assembly opening. This allows the gate to close, and thereupon the members are free to be moved to the open position.

[[he invention is further described in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a light fixture provided with a latch according to the invention and showing the lens panel in the partially open position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the latch used on the fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a latch according to the invention and of a construction alternative to that of the latch shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-7 correspond with FIG. 4 but show the latch in various of its operating positions;

FIG. 8 is of an alternative construction and is a crossseotional view corresponding to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 shows an alternate construction for the latch of the invention.

In the various figures of the drawing like reference characters refer to corresponding parts.

In the drawing, the push release latch of the invention is shown as the latch for a lens panel of a lighting fixture. It will be appreciated, however, that the latch is suitable for any pair of first and second members which it is desired to selectively change from an open to a closed posito the lens panel, engages the keeper assembly .15 so that the lens panel is secured in the closed position. To open the fixture, the lens panel is pushed beyondthe closed position (that is, the lens panel is pushed in the same direction as it was pushed in closing the lens panel), and this movement results in disengagement of the latch so that the fixture is free to be opened. The lens panel can then be moved to the open position and upon such movement, as is explained below, the latch will not become engaged. In order to limit the extent to which the panel can-be pushed beyond theclosed position, .stops '16 are provided. e 7

' Where the lighting fixture is circular, as is shown in -FIG. 1, the latch assembly is preferably a unitwhich can be attached to the fixturebody portion 11 as by spot welding. A suitable keeper assembly for this purpose is depicted in FIG. 2, wherein the front plate 18a and gate 19 make up the keeper assembly, and the catch assembly comprises leaf spring 14 for attachment to the lens panel. Where, however, the lighting fixture is rectangular, the keeper assembly is preferably integral with the body portion 11 of the fixture. Such a construction is shown in FIGS. 3-7 and FIG. 8. 1

. Referring to FIGS. 3-7 the keeper assembly 15 is made integral with the body portion 11. Thepart 18 of the body portion llserves as a front plate'for the keeper assembly,.and is provided with an axially extending opening 21 which has a peripheral edge portion 19a to serve as the keeper. The keeper assembly 15 further comprises a gate 19 movable between a gate closed position (which is shown in FIG. 3) and a gate open position, in which the opening 21 is exposed by reason of the gate being in an elevated position from that shown in FIG. 3. The gate 19 is slidably mounted in the front plate 18 and to aid in maintaining the gate in properalignment the gate extends through a slot 23 in the fixture body portion 11. To limit the upward and downward travel of the gate, and to secure the gate in the keeper assembly, and also to pro- .vide suitable alignment of the gate and opening, ears 24 .are provided and are disposed across the front plate 18 from the gate 19. This provides a loose fitting mounting of the gate on the front plate 18 and the ears limit upa ward and downward travelof the gateby, respectively,

abutting with the upper and lower periphery of the open- -ing21. Y v

The catch assembly 14 includes axially extending leaf spring 26 and lens frame portion 17a to which one end of the leaf spring is fixedly secured by a rivet 27. The leaf spring extends from the fixed end 25 toward the body pportion 11 of the fixture to termination in afree end portion as a head 31. The head includes an inclined surface 32 which is inclined to the axis indicated by line 9 .(FIG.-1) and normally is disposed across said axis, as is indicated in FIG. 1. Further, the head 31 has a transverse surface 28 which forms-the catch for the latch.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 4-7, the'norrnal position for-the unlatched condition, i.e. the position of the latch parts when the light panel is open, is represented in FIG. 4, and as is there indicated, the gate 19 is then closed and the catch 28 and keeper 19a are disengaged. 'The'head 31 is axially aligned with the opening 21 and the front plate 18 is positioned for engaging the inclined surface 32 of the head, upon movement of the light panel to the closed position shown in FIG. 5. As the light panel is moved to the closed position, the face plate 18 deflects the head 31 for travel of the head over the front plate 18. Upon further movement toward the closed position, the head strikes the lower edge portion 33 of the gate 19 and shifts the gate to the open position. The head 31 then registers with the opening 21, the registered position of the head being indicated by the representation in the phantom showing from the head in FIG. 5. At the registered position, the leaf spring 26 presses the head 31 into the opening 21 whereupon the catch 28 engages the keeper 19a to provide the normally closed or latched condition, which is shown in FIG. 5.

To disengage the latch, the lens panel 12 is pushed beyond the closed position shown in FIG. 5 and to the position shown in FIG. 6. Thereupon, the inclined surface 32 of the head 31 opposes the lower edge portion 33 of the gate 19 and works as a cam surface against the gate lower edge portion 33, whereby the said lower edge portion 33 serves as a withdrawing means. The cars 24 of the gate 19 arrest upward movement of the gate and the pressing of the inclined surface 32 against the lower edge portion 33 of the gate causes the deflection of the head 31 so that it is withdrawn from the opening 21. Thereupon the gate 19 slides to the closed position and the various parts are then in the position shown in FIG. 6.

From the position shown in FIG. 6, the light panel 12 can be moved to the open position, for, since the gate 19 closes the opening 21 to entry by the head 31, the light panel is free to be moved. to the open position. See FIG. 7.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-7, the gate 15 is freely slidable between open and closed positions and is responsive to the force of gravity to move from the open to the closed position. Thus, the latch is adapted for mounting with the keeper assembly disposed to utilize the force of gravity to move the keeper gate to the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 9, instead of or in addition to the means described for withdrawing the catch from engagement with the keeper, the keeper assembly 15 can be provided with a. cam piece 37 disposedto be engaged by the catch assembly inclined surface 32 or an extension of the inclined surface 32. Such construction is indicated in FIG. 9 wherein the cam piece 37 engages the inclined sur- "face 32. Engagement of the cam piece 37 with the in clined surface 32 works to effect withdrawal of the head piece from opening 21 just as, in FIGS. 5J7, cooperation of the inclined surfaceand lower edge portion 33 of the gate. 19 works to effect withdrawal of the head piece 31 from the opening 21. This alternative construction will serve to obviate any difficulty encountered by reason of tendency of the leaf spring to hold the gate against the force of gravity and preventing it from sliding to the closed position.

It will be appreciated that the catch assembly and 'keeper assemblycan be reversed from the positions described so that the catch assembly is mounted on the fixture body portion 11 and the keeper assembly is 3-7 in that the front plate 18a. (FIG. 2) is not integral with the body portion 11 of the fixture, but rather is a separate piece adapted to be secured as by Welding to the body portion 11. Thus, in a round fixture, as well .as in a rectangular fixture, a keeper. 19a which is straight rather than curved can be provided. Except for the variation in FIG. 2 of making the front plate 18:: piece non-integral with the body portion 11, the embodiment of FIG. 2 is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 3-7.

While several specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications and alterations of these embodiments. will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to secure by these Letters Patent all such modifications as are within the scope of the. appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A push release latch for first and second members movable along an axis toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, said latch comprising a keeper assembly including a keeper mounted on the first member and a catch assembly includ ing a catch mounted on the second member, said keeper assembly including a face plate having an axially extending opening for receiving said catch for engagement of the catch, said opening having a peripheral edge portion forming said keeper, a gate for said opening movable between a gate closed position in which the gate closes said opening to said catch, and a gate open position in whichthe opening is exposed for receiving said catch, the gate being normally closed when the latch is disengaged, said catch assembly including an axially extending leaf spring secured at one end portion thereof to said second member and extending from said end portion toward said first member to termination in a free end portion as a head piece of the spring, said head having a surface inclined to said axis and normally disposed across said axis, said front plate of the keeper assembly being positioned for engaging the inclined surface of the head upon movement of said members along said axis to the closed position and deflecting the head for travel over the front plate during said movement, said gate including means for engagement by the head upon said movement and shifting of the gate to the open position in response to said movement, whereby during said movement when the head registers with the opening, the leaf spring presses the head into the opening, said head having a transverse surface forming the catch which then engages said keeper to hold the members latched, the keeper assembly further including means for Withdrawing the catch from engagement with the keeper and said head of the catch assembly having a cam surface for cooperation with said withdrawing means, the withdrawing means, upon movement of said members beyond the closed position, engaging the cam surface of the head and deflecting the head to withdraw it from the keeper assembly opening and allow the gate to move to the normally closed position to close the keeper assembly opening to engagement by the catch, whereby with the keeper gate closed and the members beyond the closed position, the members are free to be moved to the open position.

2. A push release latch according to claim 1, the keeper assembly gate being freely slidabie along said axis between open and closed positions in response to the force of gravity, whereby the latch is adapted for mounting with the keeper assembly disposed to utilize the force of gravity to move the keeper gate to the closed position.

3. A push release latch according to claim 1, the keeper assembly including spring means urging the gate to the closed position.

4. A push release latch according to claim 1, the said cam surface of the head of the catch assembly being an extension of the said inclined surface of said head.

5. A push release latch according to claim 1, the inclined surface of the head opposing an edge portion of the gate with the catch engaged, means limiting movement of the gate toward the open position so that upon movement of the members beyond the closed position the inclined surface of the head forces the gate against said limiting means and said edge portion of the gate functions as the catch assembly withdrawing means cooperating with the inclined surface of the head as said cam surface.

6. A push release latch for first and second members movable along an uis toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, said latch comprising a keeper assembly for mounting on said first member and including a keeper, and a catch assembly for mounting on said second member and including a catch, said keeper assembly comprising a gate for the keeper movable between a gate closed position in which the gate closes the keeper to engagement by the catch and a gate open position in which the keeper is exposed for engagement by the catch, the gate being normally closed when the catch and keeper are disengaged, said catch being positioned and adapted and mounted on said catch assembly so as to be transversely movable between latching position in which said catch is engaged Within said keeper in closed position of said members and unlatching position in which said catch is always clear of said keeper, said catch being biased to latching position, the catch assembly including gate opening means engaging the gate and moving the gate to the gate open position and permitting engagement of the catch with said keeper upon moving said members into the closed position, said catch and said keeper assembly having cooperating cam means engageable with each other upon movement of said members beyond closed position and then operable to move said catch to unlatching position, said gate being thereby free to move to the normally closed position to close the keeper to engagement by the catch and the members being thereby free to be moved to the open position.

7. A push release latch for first and second members as defined in claim 6 wherein said catch comprises an axially extending flexible and resilient member secured at the bottom thereof to said second member and extending from the secured bottom toward said first memmber and terminating in a head portion which is adapted to be engaged by said keeper, said head portion being provided with said cooperating cam means.

8. A push release latch for first and second members movable along an axis toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, said latch comprising a keeper assembly for mounting on said first member and including the keeper, and a catch assembly for mounting on said second member and including a catch, said keeper assembly comprising a gate for the keeper movable between a gate closed position in which the gate closes the keeper to engagement by the catch and the gate open position in which the keeper is exposed for engagement by the catch, the gate being normally closed by spring means when the catch and keeper are disengaged, said catch being positioned and adapted and mounted on said catch asssembly so as to be transversely movable between latching position in which said catch is engaged within said keeper in closed position of said members and unlatching position in which said catch is always clear of said keeper, said catch being biased to latching position, the catch assembly including gate opening means engaging the gate and moving the gate to the gate open position and permitting engagement of the catch with said keeper upon moving said members into the closed position, said catch including a cam surface on the upper portion thereof, and Withdrawing means on said keeper assembly engageable with said cam surface upon movement of said members beyond closed position to move said catch to unlatching position, said gate being thereby free to move to the normally closed position to close the keeper to engagement by the catch and the members being thereby free to be moved to the open positlon.

9. A push release latch forfirst and second members movable along an axis toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position, said latch comprising a keeper assembly for mounting on said first member and including a keeper, and a catch assembly for mounting on said second member and including a catch, said catch comprising an axially extending flexible and resilient member secured at the bottom thereof to said second member and extending from the secured bottom toward said first member and terminating in a head portion, said head portion having a surface inclined to said axis and normally disposed across said axis and adapted to be engaged by said keeper, said keeper assembly comprising a gate for the keeper movable between a gate closed position in which the gate closes the keeper to engagement by the catch and a gate open position in which the keeper is exposed for engagement by the catch, said gate being normally closed when the catch and keeper and mounted on said catch assembly so as to be transversely movable between latching position in which said normally disposed surface is engaged within said keeper in closed position of said members and unlatching position in which said catch is always clear of said keeper, said catch being biased to latching position, said head portion being further adapted to engage the gate and move the gate to the gate open position to permit engagement of the catch with said keeper upon moving said members into the closed position, said keeper assembly inclined cooperating cam means engageable with said inclined surface on said head portion upon movement of said members beyond closed position to move said catch to unlatching position, said gate being thereby free to move to the normally closed position to close the keeper to engagement by the catch and the members being thereby free to be moved to the open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,637,576 Nottingham May 5, 1953 2,868,577 Zingone Jan. 13, 1959 3,027,452 McGinty Mar. 27, 1962

Claims

6. A PUSH RELEASE LATCH FOR FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS MOVABLE ALONG AN AXIS TOWARD EACH OTHER TO A CLOSED POSITION AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER TO AN OPEN POSITION, SAID LATCH COMPRISING A KEEPER ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING ON SAID FIRST MEMBER AND INCLUDING A KEEPER, AND A CATCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING ON SAID SECOND MEMBER AND INCLUDING A CATCH, SAID KEEPER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A GATE FOR THE KEEPER MOVABLE BETWEEN A GATE CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH THE GATE CLOSES THE KEEPER TO ENGAGEMENT BY THE CATCH AND A GATE OPEN POSITION IN WHICH THE KEEPER IS EXPOSED FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE CATCH, THE GATE BEING NORMALLY CLOSED WHEN THE CATCH AND KEEPER ARE DISENGAGED, SAID CATCH BEING POSITIONED AND ADAPTED AND MOUNTED ON SAID CATCH ASSEMBLY SO AS TO BE TRANSVERSELY MOVABLE BETWEEN LATCHING POSITION IN WHICH SAID CATCH IS ENGAGED WITHIN SAID KEEPER IN CLOSED POSITION OF SAID MEMBERS AND UNLATCHING POSITION IN WHICH SAID CATCH IS ALWAYS CLEAR OF SAID KEEPER, SAID CATCH BEING BIASED TO LATCHING POSITION, THE CATCH ASSEMBLY INCLUDING GATE OPENING MEANS ENGAGING THE GATE AND MOVING THE GATE TO THE GATE OPEN POSITION AND PERMITTING ENGAGEMENT OF THE CATCH WITH SAID KEEPER UPON MOVING SAID MEMBERS INTO THE CLOSED POSITION, SAID CATCH AND SAID KEEPER ASSEMBLY HAVING COOPERATING CAM MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH EACH OTHER UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERS BEYOND CLOSED POSITION AND THEN OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID CATCH TO UNLATCHING POSITION, SAID GATE BEING THEREBY FREE TO MOVE TO THE NORMALLY CLOSED POSITION TO CLOSE THE KEEPER TO ENGAGEMENT BY THE CATCH AND THE MEMBERS BEING THEREBY FREE TO BE MOVED TO THE OPEN POSITION.