US3414308A - Latch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

D 3, 1968 E. A. ROLLOR, JR

LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 19, 1966 aw .v

ATTO/P/VEVS Dec. 3, 1968 E. A. ROLLOR, JR

LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1966 ATTOQ/VE V5 "United States Patent 3,414,308 LATCH MECHANISM Edward A. Roller, Jr., 903 Wisteria Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30060 Filed Sept. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 580,384 Claims. (Cl. 292-229) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A door latch mechanism adapted to fit into a V-shaped groove in the edge of a door and including a housing slotted to receive a keeper. A swingable plate covers the slot and is keeper-actuated to engage and swing a springretracted hooked-end bolt into engagement with the keeper. A swingable catch means, biased to hold the bolt in latched position, is freed by an axially movable knob spindle to release the latch.

This invention relates generally to latch mechanisms and more particularly to an easily installed latch mechanism.

Many prior art latch mechanisms are in use today to hold and lock doors in a closed position. One of thepro'blems involved with these prior latch mechanisms, however, is that special tools are necessary to install the mechanism, the mechanism must be disassembled during the installation thereof, and the mechanisms require a considerable amount of time and effort to align them.

The invention disclosed herein overcomes these problems by providing a latch mechanism which is easily installed without disassembly of the mechanism and with a minimum of tools, those required usually being available in the average dwelling. The invention further includes no protruding parts to catch on clothing and other objects as the door is opened or closed and can be easily aligned without any major alteration of the space provided for the lock in the door. Moreover, the invention is substantially burglar proof since the door cannot be opened by sliding the bolt into the door with a blade. The invention may be operated simply by depressing the knob rather than rotating the knob as is required in the prior art and since no sliding bolt is used therewith, substantially no friction is encountered in the closing of the door as is usually the case in the prior art latch mechanisms using the sliding bolt.

The apparatus of the invention comprises generally a latch mechanism having a rotating bolt rather than a sliding bolt and a cover plate which rotates into position as the bolt is opened to provide a flush surface on the door when the latch mechanism is in released position. A pair of knobs is provided in the invention which are positioned on either side of the door and are effective when pushed or pulled, depending on which direction the door opens, to open or unlatch the latch mechanism so that the door may be opened. A locking means is provided simply by twisting one of the door knobs so that the exterior door knob may be prevented from being depressed so as to open the door.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly understood upon consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of that embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with one of the side plates thereof removed to show the internal construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of that embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 2.

These figures and the following detailed description disclose one specific embodiment of the invention, however, the inventive concept is not limited thereto since it may be embodied in other equivalent forms.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the invention comprises generally a central latch assembly 10', a pair of door knobs 11, a latch cover plate 12, and a keeper plate 60.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the latch assembly 10 comprises generally a U-shaped housing 15 having a primary portion 15a and a secondary portion 15b. The primary portion 15a has a front base Wall 16 and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls 18 integral therewith on either side thereof. The side walls 18 and the base wall 16 taper inwardly toward the rear thereof at an angle of approximately 45". A pair of special walls 19 extend between the side walls 18 just inwardly of each end thereof and serve to support the side walls 18. A semicircular side plate 20 is attached to the outside of each of the side walls 18 with the flat edge 23 thereof being positioned just rearwardly of the base wall 16 and serves to carry therebetween just rearwardly of the side walls 18 the secondary portion 15b of the housing 15. One of the side Walls 18 has provided therein a cutout 24 which extends from just inwardly of the rear edge of the portion 15a forwardly to the base wall 16 thereof and partially across the base wall 16. A recess 25 extends inwardly from the rear portion of the other side wall 18 and terminates just rearwardly of the base plate 16.

The portion 15b comprises generally a pair of triangularly shaped support plates 28 spaced apart by a plurality of spacers 29. The support plates 28 are attached to the side plates 20 so that the tapering sides thereof are aligned with the tapering edges of the portion 15a. The forwardmost extending side of one of the support plates 28 is provided with support stanchions 30 at each end thereof effective to carry a pivot rod 31 therethrough in a rotatable manner. The forward extending end of the other support plate 28 is provided with a pair of forwardly extending support stanchions 32 which are effective to mount a pivot rod 34 therebetween. Each of the side plates 28 is provided with a centrally located aperture 35 extending therethrough effective to rotatably receive the mounting pin 36 for carrying the door knobs 11 thereon.

An arcuate cover plate 38 is fixedly carried by arms 39 pivoted to the connecting rod 31 so that the cover plate 38 will be rotatably positioned within the housing 15 and extendable into the recess 24 so as to substantially cover the recess 24. A bolt 40 having an arcuate portion 41 and a mounting leg 42 is pivotably carried on mounting pin 44 fixedly attached to the mounting leg 42, the mounting pin 44 being pivotably carried in bearing blocks 45 mounted in appropriate recesses 46 in the spacer walls 19. A connecting arm 48 is pinned to the mounting leg 42 and one of the support arms 39 so that the movement of the bolt 40 and the cover plate 38 will be synchronized.

The outward movement of the cover plate 38 is limited by one of the side plates 20 which contacts the inner edge of the cover plate 38 in its extendedmost position. It will be seen that if the cover plate 38 is rotated inwardly, the connecting link 48 will in turn rotate the bolt 40 outwardly so that the arcuate portion 41 thereof will be rotated into the recess 24 in the housing 15.

A lock plate 50 is fixedly attached to the pin 34 extending between the supports 32 so that the plate 50 is rotatable with the pin 34. A locking recess 51 is provided at the outer extending edge of the lock plate 50 and is urged forwardly in the housing to engage the rear edge of the bolt 40 as it is pivoted into the recess 24. This maintains the bolt in extended position until the lock plate 50 is pivoted rearwardly to release the bolt 40.

An actuator tab 52 is also fixedly attached to the pin 34 and is effective when rotated to pivot the pin 34 and lock plate 50 rearwardly to release the bolt 40 for retraction thereof. A spring 54 is attached to one edge of the bolt 40 and is eifective to urge the bolt 40 toward retracted position at all times. Therefore, it can be seen that as soon as the lock plate 50 is rotated rearwardly the locking recess 51 releases the rear of the bolt 40 and allows it to be retracted by the spring 54.

An actuator assembly 55 is carried by the mounting pin 36 between the plates 28 and is fixedly attached to the mounting pin 36 for longitudinal movement therewith. The actuator assembly 55 comprises generally a substantially triangular shaped mounting bracket 56 which is attached to the mounting pin 36 and has an actuator extension 58 extending therefrom toward the actuator tab 52 and aligned therewith so that when the mounting pin 36 is depressed or pulled, depending on which side of the door the operator is standing, the actuator assembly 55 will be displaced and the actuator extension 58 will contact the actuator tab 52 associated with the lock plate 50 and pivot the actuator tab 52 thereby pivoting the lock plate 50 rearwardly to release the bolt 40.

A spring 59 is mounted between the actuator assembly 55 and the rear side of the mounting plate 50 so that the mounting plate 50 is urged forwardly at all times. This is effective to insure that the mounting plate 50 will engage the bolt 40 in its locking recess 51 and retain the bolt in its forward position until the actuator assembly 55 is displaced to pivot the locking plate 50 rearwardly.

A keeper plate 60 is attached to the inside surface of the door frame (not shown) and has a bumper 61 and an engaging recess 62. The keeper plate 60 is aligned on the door frame so that the bumper 61 engages the cover plate 38 and pivots it rearwardly as the door is closed. This causes the bolt 40 to be pivoted forwardly to engage the recess 62 and hold the door closed, The lock plate 59 is pivoted forwardly so that the locking recess 51 is engaged by the bolt 40 to lock it in place until the actuator tab 52 is pivoted to pivot the plate 50 rearwardly to release the bolt 40 and allow the spring 54 to pivot the bolt 40 rearwardly and the plate 38 forwardly as the door is opened.

The pin 36 includes a hollow tubular member 64 fixedly mounted in the actuator block 56 and a solid member 65 having an extension 66 thereon effective to be rotatably received through the tubular member 64. The solid member 65 is held in place by a screw 68 threadedly engaging the extension 66 and received through a circumferentially extending elongate slot 69 appropriately located in the tubular member 64. This is effective to preclude axial movement of the member 65 with respect to the tubular member 64 yet permit limited rotary movement of the member 65 with respect to the member 64.

Each of the side plates carries a circular shield 70 concentrically of the pin 36 and a lock member 71 is fixed within one of the shields 70 around the solid member 65 of the pin 36. The lock member has a sector shaped recess 72 connecting with a slot 74 through the member 71. The recess 72 receives a lock pin 75 attached to the member 65 therein and as the member 65 is rotated the pin 75 can be selectively positioned within the recess 72 or within the slot 74. When the pin 75 is in the recess 72, the pin 36 cannot be moved axially to cause the plate 50 to release the bolt for retraction. However, when the pin 75 is within the slot 74, the pin 36 can be moved axially to release the bolt 40. Therefore, when the pin 75 is within the recess 72 the door is locked from the outside and when the pin is within the slot 74 the door can be freely opened from the outside or inside. By always locating the member 65 on the inside of the door, it may be easily locked from within.

The outer extending end of the members 64 and 65 are threaded to receive the knobs 11 thereon. It is to also be understood that a keyed lock cylinder may be used in the knob 11 on the outside of the door which can be connected to the extension 66 to rotate the member 65 when a key is used.

The outer portion of the base Wall 16 has integrally formed thereon on the rear side thereof a pair of bosses 78 which threadedly receive an adjustment bolt 7 9, through each.

To install the invention in a door, it is only necessary to saw a V-notch in the door in the approximate desired position of the invention. The invention is then placed therein and the adjustment screws 79 used to properly locate the invention in the notch. Wood screws 80 are then inserted through the holes 81 in the wall 16 and tightened down to hold the invention in place. The latch cover plate 12 has a cutout 84 therein which corresponds to the cutout 24 and is placed over the front of the housing 15 to cover the screws 79 and 80. The keeper 60 is then attached to the door frame and aligned with the cutout 24 so that it extends into the cutout 24 when the door is closed.

To open the door the doorknob 11 on the outside of the door is simply pushed or the door knob 11 on the inside of the door is pulled to open the door. By selectively rotating the door knob 11 on the inside of the door, the invention can be locked to prevent the door from being opened from the outside thereof. When the latch is used on a bathroom or bedroom door, a small hole 85 is provided in the knob 11 on the outside of the door. A small screwdriver or similar instrument can be inserted through the hole 85 and into the slot 86 in the end of the extension 66 and the member 65 may thus be rotated to move the pin 75 to the unlocked position. This permits access from the outside when the door is unintentionally locked from the inside as might happend with a small child.

The keeper 60 has two vertical slots through which wood screws are inserted and secured to the jamb. Changes in vertical alignment due to foundation settling can be corrected easily by loosening the wood screws and sliding the keeper up or down, since the keeper is not in a chiseled out slot. If wraping or settling causes the door and jamb to separate, the screws can be loosened and shim plates inserted behind the keeper. The keeper is mounted on the jamb so that it is in contact with the molding which forms a stop for the door.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other equivalent forms without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed as invention is:

1. A latch mechanism including a pair of handles for use in combination with a keeper to fixedly position a door with respect to a door frame including:

a housing including a first end, a second end and a front surface, said first and second ends converging toward each other as said ends extend rearwardly from said front surface and being positionable in a notch in said door, means carried by said housing effective to vertically and horizontally position said housing in the notch;

a first rotatable member pivotally mounted in said housing about a first axis of rotation and effective to be engaged and rotated by said keeper; and

a second rotatable member pivotally mounted in said housing about a second axis displaced from said first axis, said second rotatable member being engageable by said first rotatable member and rotatable into latching engagement with said keeper by said first rotatable member as said keeper rotates said first rotatable member.

2. A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 further including:

locking means for selectively engaging said second rotatable member when said second rotatable member is engaging said keeper to selectively preclude disengagement of said second member from said keeper; and

releasing means operatively connected to said handles for selectively disengaging said locking means from said second member upon transverse axial movement of said handles.

3. A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a recess in said front surface effective to receive said keeper therein, said first member being effective to cover said recess when said keeper is removed therefrom and effective to extend said second member into said recess as said first member is moved from said recess by said keeper.

4. A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 2 including means for urging said locking means toward engagement with said second member.

5. A latch mechanism for use in combination with a keeper to fix a door with respect to a door frame includmg:

a housing having a first end, a second end, and a front surface, said first and second ends converging toward each other as said ends extend rearwardly from said front surface, said ends effective to be positioned in a V-shaped notch in the door;

means carried by said housing for vertically and horizontally positioning said housing in the notch;

a first rotatable member pivotally mounted in said housing about a first axis of rotation;

a. second rotatable member pivotally mounted in said housing about a second axis of rotation and positioned to engage and operate said first rotatable member, said second rotatable member being rotated in a rotational direction causing the engaging portion thereof to move in a direction opposite from a latching part of said first rotatable member, said first rotational direction as each of said members is rotated, said first rotatable member having an extended rotational position at which said latching part engages said keeper to fix the position of said door and a retracted rotational position at which said first member releases said keeper for the opening of said door;

means urging said first member toward said retracted position at all times; and,

means for selectively fixing said first member in said extended position.

6. In a latch mechanism; a keeper plate having a bumper defining one side of a recess; and a latch assembly having a housing, a plate positioned in and substantially closing a slot in said housing and movable inwardly relative to said housing, a bolt movable in response to motion of said plate between a first position in which said bolt is retracted within said housing and a second position in which said bolt extends fro-m said housing, and means for urging said bolt inwardly within said housing; said bumper and said plate being positioned so that said bumper engages "and moves said plate when said bumper and said plate are moved relative to each other, and said recess and said bolt being positioned so that when said bolt is moved into its second position in response to motion of said plate caused by said bumper engaging said plate, said bolt is in said recess.

7. A latch mechanism comprising a housing defining a slot for receiving a keeper, an actuator rod extending through said housing, an actuating member in said housing pivotal about an axis generally perpendicular to said rod and into and out of said slot, a bolt in said housing pivotal about a second axis generally perpendicular to said rod and into and out of said slot, said bolt being movable into said slot in response to the motion of said actuating member as said actuating member moves out of said slot, and said actuating member being movable into said slot as said bolt moves out of said slot.

8. The invention of claim 7, and further including means for continuously biasing said bolt out of said slot and into said housing.

9. The invention of claim 8, and further including locking means for maintaining said bolt in said slot, and means responsive to the movement of said actuator rod along its axis for disengaging said locking means and allowing said bolt to withdraw from said slot.

10. The invention of claim 7, wherein said slot comprises an edge opening in said housing and said actuating member is shaped to form extensions of the wall surfaces of the housing when said actuating member extends into said slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 162,272 4/ 1875 Colby 292-192 727,293 5/1903 Coin 292-336 2,107,300 2/1938 Kilpatrick 292-192 2,821,849 2/ 1958 Schweitzer 292337 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,175,635 11/1958 France.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner.

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