US3469877A

US3469877A - Adjustable latch

Info

Publication number: US3469877A
Application number: US650361A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Hutchison
Original assignee: CHARLES H HUTCHISON
Current assignee: CHARLES H HUTCHISON
Priority date: 1967-06-30
Filing date: 1967-06-30
Publication date: 1969-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-30

Description

p 30. 969 c. H. HUTCHISON 3,469,877

ADJUSTABLE LATCH Filed June 30, 1967 Charles H. Hutch/son INVENTOR BY m mq,

Unitcd States Patent 3,469,877 ADJUSTABLE LATCH Charles H. Hutchison, Beaver, Pa. (Rte. 4, Box 12-A, Danville Road, Decatur, Ala. 35601) Filed June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 650,361 Int. Cl. Ec 3/04; E05b 15/02 US. Cl. 292241 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a latch, such as of the type generally utilized in combination with panel closures, double-hung windows, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a latch of the aforementioned type which is provided with an adjustment means for compensating for an offset between closure portions with which the latch is associated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for an adjustable latch of the type generally comprising two subassemblies each associated with separate adjacent portions of a closure, and the like, which closure portions generally do not align and thereby create an offset which would normally interfere with the proper latching of the subassemblies of the latch mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for an adjustable latch to provide an improved means of releasably fastening portions of a closure, or the like, which are on difierent planes and such as comprise an access door or panel in a sheet metal, masonite duct or the like and wherein a closure plate overlaps an access opening in the duct.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for an adjustable latch which obviates the necessity for shimming portions of a latch to compensate for an offset of two portions of a closure with which a latch is associated.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for an adjustable latch wherein at least one subassembly of the latch is provided with an adjustment means for selectively varying the relative position of a detent or keeper element with regard to the support surface for the subassembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for an adjustable latch which is simple, inexpensive, and which may be readily installed in lieu of non-adjustable latches provided heretofore.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom- 3,469,877 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

'FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable latch constructed in accordance with this invention and shown, for purposes of illustration only, operatively associated with an offset closure in a panel;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of the adjustable latch of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

vFIGURE 3 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional View of the adjustable latch of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the offset plane 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

.FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of a subassembly of the adjustable latch of FIGURE 1 which comprises the adjustment means thereof.

vReferring now to the drawings in further detail, and FIGURE 1 in particular, it will be seen that an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable latch indicated generally at 1'0 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown, for purposes of illustration only, as operatively associated with a closure or the like indicated generally at 12 which comprises first and

second portions

14 and 16 respectively, which are normally latched in overlapping relation.

The adjustable latch 10 includes two subassemblies which comprise a latch cam assembly indicated at 18, which is secured to the closure portion 16 and an adjustable latch cam keeper assembly indicated generally at 20' secured to the closure portion 14.

As seen best from a simultaneous consideration of FIGURES 1 and 2 the latch cam assembly 18 comprises a downwardly turned cup-shaped cam latch base 22 having a segmental latch cam 24 rotatably secured thereto by a pivot means 26 such as comprising a double-headed rivet or the like. The latch cam 24 includes a segmental arcuate cam surface 25 adapted to coact with the latch keeper assembly 20 to retain the

closure portions

14 and 16 in latched relation. The latch cam assembly base 22 is fixedly secured to the closure portion 16 by fasteners 28 such as comprising bolts received in suitable apertures therein and in the closure panel 16.

The adjustable latch cam keeper assembly 20 includes a latch keeper assembly body portion 30 which comprises a downwardly opening elongated cup-shaped member having an integral upstanding latch keeper 32 which terminates in a downwardly turned integral latch detent 34 which defines an inverted J-shaped latch cam detent. The adjustable latch keeper assembly 20 is further provided with a means of adjusting the relative distance between a supporting member or surface, such as comprising the closure portion 14, and the inverted J-slot defined by the cam detent 34 so as to facilitate adjustment of the keeper assembly 20 to compensate for closure portions which are offset, such as the

closure portions

14 and 16. From a simultaneous consideration of FIGURES 2 1, it will be seen that the latch keeper assembly adjustment means, a portion of which is indicated at 21, comprises an upwardly opening elongated cup-shaped adjustment means base member 36 sized so as to be received within the downwardly opening keeper portion 30. The base member 36 is provided with apertures 38 for the through passage of fasteners 40 such as comprising bolts, screws or the like for adjustably securing the latch keeper assembly 20 to a support surface such as comprising the closure portion 14 or the like. The fasteners 40 are received in suitable apertures in the latch keeper body portion 30 and in the embodiment illustrated to secure the keeper assembly 20 to the closure portion 14 by means of complementary threaded nuts 41.

The keeper assembly body portion 30 may be maintained in the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, wherein the keeper body portion 30 is biased against the heads of the fasteners 40, by a resilient biasing means comprising helical compression springs 42 and/or adjustable biasing means comprising a plurality of setscrews 44 received in suitable threaded apertures indicated at 45 in the keeper assembly body portion 30 so as to permit adjustment of the setscrews 44 against the base member 36 to force the body portion 30 upwardly against the head of the fastener 40. From the foregoing it will be applieciated that when utilizing the setscrews 44 it is not imperative that the springs 42 be utilized.

Referring now to the utilization and operation of-the exemplary embodiment of the adjustable latch the latch and keeper assemblies 18 and 20' respectively are operatively positioned by first securing the latch cam assembly 18 to one portion of a closure, such as the closure portion 16, by means of the fasteners 28 whereby the arcuate cam surface 25 of the cam member 24 projects outwardly from the closure portion 16 so as to overlie an associated closure portion, such as the closure portion 14. The latch keeper assembly 20 comprising the base portion 36, body portion 30, fasteners 40 and selectively and alternately optional tensioning memberscomprising the springs 42 or the setscrews 44 is secured to the closure portion 14, as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 3, wherein the I-slot defined by the latch keeper or detent tab 34 is so positioned so as to coact with the segmental cam 25 of the cam member 24. To compensate for the offset existing between the

closure portions

14 and 16 the effective length of the fastener 40 may be selectively varied by rotational adjustment of the bolt 40 so as to vary the effective length of the bolt 40, to adjust the distance between the upper surface of the closure member 14 and the I-slot defined by the keeper tab 34. When springs 42 are utilized it will thus be appreciated that when placed under compression the springs 42 will tend to tension the keeper body portion 30 against the head of the bolts 40'. In addition, when springs 42 are not utilized the setscrews 44 may be rotatably adjusted so as to react against the adjustment means base portion 36 so as to tension the keeper body portion 30 upwardly against the heads of the fasteners 40. It will further be appreciated that if desired both the

springs

42 and 44 may be utilized to tension the keeper assembly body portion 30 upwardly against the heads of the fasteners 40.

From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that an adjustable latch, such as the exemplary latch 10, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention greatly simplifies the fitting of closure elements with a releasably securable latch means.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

'1. An adjustable latch for the releasable fastening of adjacent generally offset portions of a closure and the like which comprises, in combination, a latch cam assembly adapted to be secured to one portion of a closure, a latch cam keeper assembly adapted to be adjustably secured to an adjacent portion of a closure, said adjustable latch keeper assembly coacting with said latch cam to releasably fasten the closure portions, said adjustable .4 latch cam keeper assembly including a latch keeper assembly body portion provided with a latch cam detent, and said adjustable latch cam keeper assembly being provided with means for adjustably securing said keeper body portion to the adjacent portion of the closure whereby the effective distance between the closure portion and the latch cam detent can be selectively varied to compensate for an olfset between the normal fastened position of the closure portions, said means for adjustably securing said latch keeper body portion including headed post means and means for compressively biasing said latch keeper body portion against the headed portion of said headed post means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said latch cam assembly includes a latch cam base provided with a pivotally secured segmental arcuate latch cam having an arcuate cam surface thereon.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said latch cam detent of said latch keeper assembly body portion defines a downwardly opening latch cam receiving slot.

4. An adjustable latch for the releasable fastening of adjacent generally offset portions of a closure and the like which comprises, in combination, a latch cam assembly adapted to be secured to one portion of a closure, a latch cam keeper assembly adapted to be adjustably secured to an adjacent portion of a closure, said adjustable latch keeper asembly coacting with said latch cam to releasably fasten the closure portions, said adjustable latch cam keeper assembly including a latch keeper assembly body portion provided with a latch cam detent, and said adjustable latch cam keeper assembly being provided with means for adjustably securing said keeper body portion to the adjacent portion of the closure whereby the elfective distance between the closure portion and the latch cam detent can be selectively varied to compensate for an offset between the normal fastened position of the closure portions, said latch keeper assembly body portion comprising a downwardly opening member, and said adjustable means adapted to adjustably secure said body portion to the closure comprising at least one headed fastener means passing downwardly through and slidably received within at least one suitable aperture n said body portion whereby the head of the fastener is too large to pass through said at least one aperture, said fastener being generally fixed to the closure portion, and means biasing said body portion against the head of said fastener.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means biasing said body portion against said fastener head comprises at least one resilient member.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said resilient member comprises a helical compression spring received about said at least one fastener.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means biasing said body portion against said fastener head comprises at least one setscrew threadably received in said body portion and adapted to coact with the closure portion to which said latch keeper assembly body portion is adjustably secured.

8. The combination of claim 4 wherein said adjustable means includes a base member adapted to be generally recelved within said latch keeper assembly body portion and adapted to be operatively positioned contiguous with the closure portion to which said body portion is adustably secured.

9. In combination with a closure and the like having generally offset adjacent portions an adjustable latch for the releasable fastening of adjacent generally offset portlons of a closure and the like which comprises, in combination, a latch cam assembly secured to one portion of the closure, a latch cam keeper assembly adjustably secured to an adjacent portion of the closure, said adjustable latch keeper assembly coacting with said latch cam to releasably fasten the closure portions, said adjustable latch cam keeper assembly including a latch keeper assembly body portion provided with a latch cam detent, and said adjustable latch cam keeper assembly being provided with means for adjustably securing said keeper body portion to the adjacent portion of the closure whereby the effective distance between the closure portion and the latch cam detent can be selectively varied to compensate for an offset between the normal fastened position of the closure portions, said means for adjustably securing said latch keeper body portion including headed post means and means for compressively biasing said latch keeper body portion against the headed portion of 10 said headed post means.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,614,046 1/1927 Schmidgall 292-34118 2,506,879 5/1950 Lieb 292-241 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 292-341.18