US972177A - Door-catch. - Google Patents

Description

W. D. PBRRIS. n DOOR CATCH. V APPLIOATIN FILED AUGl 3, 1908.

972,177. Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

WILLIAM D. FERRIS, F STERLING, ILLINOIS.

DOOR-CATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Application filed August 8, 1908. Serial No. 446,792.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, W ILLIAM D. FERRIs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sterling, county of IVhiteside, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Catches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to door-catches and more particularly to spring-catches which are adapted for use with screen or other light doors, shutters or the like, for snugly holding the same against their jambs. Such catches are arranged to yield when force is applied to the door to open the same and to automatically re'e'ngage a part orprojection, when the door is closed, to hold the door yieldingly in such closed position.

The invention seeks to provide a simple construction in which the spring-actuated catch will act effectively to hold the door snugly in closed position even though the latter is warped, and consists in the features of improvement hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the improved catch shown applied to the door with the door in closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the door in a slightly open position. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the catch with the door and door jamb shown in section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a rear view in elevation of the improved catch with parts shown in section on the line 1-1lof Fig. 3.

The improved catch comprises a springactuated catch member which is automatically shifted back and forth between its active and its inactive positions as the door is opened and closed. The spring of said catch member is preferably so arranged as to tend constantly to shift said catch member to its active position in which the catch operates to snugly but yieldingly hold the door against its amb. A stop is arranged to hold the catch member in its inactive position against the tension of the operating spring and the catch member is automatically shift-- ed into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed. The catch member preferably cooperates with a projecting pin member and is shifted thereby into and out of engagement with the stop, and the catch member is arranged to act upon the pin or projection to hold the door snugly against its jamb.Y One of the members, preferably the spring-actuated catch, is adapted to be mounted on the door jamb while the other member, preferably the pin or projection, is adapted to be mounted on the door. Inasmuch as the actuating spring for the catch member constantly tends to shift into its active position it can act very efficiently to draw the door through the final part of its closing movement and to snugly hold the door against its jamb even though the door may be warped.

The improved catch is particularly designed for use in connection with screen doors, which are light in construction and apt to warp or stand partially open, particularly if the spring usually employed for closing the screen door is weak. The improved catch will supplement the action of such a door-closing spring and will hold the door tightly closed to prevent the entrance of Hies or other insects, even though the door be warped or the door-closing spring weak.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the pin member 5 is Ushaped or is in the form of an elongated staple with outturned end portions or ears 6 which are perforated to receive screws 7 by which the staple or pin member 5 is secured to the door 8 adjacent its outer edge.

The catch member is mounted upon a suitable bracket which, as shown, is preferably in the form of a casing having a front wall 9, side walls 10 and end walls 11. The end walls 11 are provided with projecting, perforated ears 12 which are arranged to receive the screws 13 by which the bracket or casing is secured to the face of the door jainb 14 adjacent its ed e. A shiftable support for the catch mem er is mounted upon the bracket or casing and this support is preferably in the form of a pivoted arm 15 that is arranged within the casing and against the rear face of the front wall 9 thereof. A pin 16 having headed ends pivotally connects the supporting arm 15 to the front wall of the casing. A pivot pin 17 connected to the op` posite end of the supporting arm 15 extends through a segmental slot 18 formed in the front wall 9 of the casing adjacent one end thereof and concentric with the pivot pin 16. The catch member 19 is mounted upon the outer end of the pin 17, which thus serves to pivotally connect the supporting arm 'and the catch member and the end s of which are headed over to hold the parts 1n place. The

. pivot pins 16 and 17 for the supporting arm 15 and the catch member 19 are parallel so that the supporting arm and catch member swino or move in parallel planes. The catch mem er 19 is provided at its upper or outer edge with a projection or lug 20 which extends inwardly over the edge of the casing. One of the end walls 11 of the casing with which the lug or projection 2O of the catch member engages, is concentric with the pivot pin 16 about which the catch member 19 and the supporting arm 15 move between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as the door is opened and closed. The lug or projection 20 is preferably shaped to conform with the outline of the end wall 11, and the latter, by its engagement with the lug or projection 20 acts as a guide to hold the catch member in proper position as it is shifted between its active and inactive positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

' As stated, the catch member is arranged to be shifted back and forth by the pin member as the door is opened and closed. One of these members7 preferably the catch member, is provided with two arms or lugs which are arranged to be alternately engaged by the other member. In the form shown, the catch member is provided with two arms or lugs 21 and 22. The projecting arm or lug 21 is formed upon the main body of the catch member and an extension on one edge of the projection I,2O is bent upwardly or outwardly and then inwardly to form theother projecting arm or lug 22.

A heavy, coiled spring 23 for operating the catch member is arranged within the casing and is connected at one end to a projection or lug 24 on the end wall 11 of the casing adjacent the pivot pin 16. The

spring is thus connected to the casing at a portion thereof which is farthest from the edge of the door jamb. At its opposite end it engages a lug 25 upon the free end of the supporting arm 15.

In what may be termed the active post tion of the catch shown in Fig. 1, the supporting arm 15 and the catch member 19 are in Ltheir innermost position with the lug or projection 20 on the catch member engaging the guide or adjacent end wall 11 of the casing and with 'the arm 22 of the catch member engaging the end portion of the pin member or staple 5. In this position, the pull of the spring 23 upon the supporting arm 15 and catch member 19 'presses the arm 22 of the catch member against the end of the staple 5 and firmly holds the door against its jamb but the door is yieldingly held closed, so that, when a certain amount of force is exerted thereon to open it, the pin member or staple 5 will act than? I upon the arm of the catch member td move the latter, together with the support= ing arm 15 to the outward, or what may be termed the inactive position shown in Fig. 2. During this outward movement, the lug 2O of the catch member is guided upon the adjacent end wall or guide l1 and the catch member is so held in position thereby that it moves with the supporting arm 15 about the pivot pin 16. When the pivot pin 17 reaches the outer end of the slot 18, the movement of the supporting arm 15 is arrested. The lug or projection 2O then extends beyond the end of the guide or wall 11 and the further movement of the pin member or staple 5 in outward direction will act upon the lug or arm 22 of the catch member to turn the latter downwardly about the pivot pin 17 to the position shown in Fig. 2 with the lug or projection 20 thereof engaging the upper end of the outer side wall 10 of the casing. This upper portion of the outer side wall l() at the end of the guide or end wall 11 acts as a stop to hold the catch member in its inactive position against the tension or pull of the spring 23. ln this inactive position the arm or lug 21 of' the catch member is turned up into the path of movement of the pin' member or staple .3. The catch member remains in its inactive position while the door is opened, but, when the door is again closed either by a spring or by pressure or force applied thereto, the end of the pin member or staple 5 engages the arm 21 of thevcatch member and first turns the latter about the pivot pin 17 and moves the lug 2O thereon upwardly out of engagement with the upper stop portion of the side wall 10 and back into engagement with the guide or end wall 11 of the casing. The spring 23 is then free to act to draw the supporting arm 15 and catch member 19 back to its inner or active position and, during this movement, the engagement of the arm 22 of the catch member with the end of the pin member or staple 5 will draw the door snugly to its closed position.

It should be noted, that in the preferred arrangement shown, the pull of the spring 23 is always exerted upon the same side of the pivot pin 16 or center about which the parts move and that the spring thus constantly tends to shift the catch member to inactive position. This arrangement enables the spring to act most effectively to draw the dooi` through the final portion of its closing movement and to bring and hold the door snugly against the jamb even though the door may be warped or the closing spring therefor weak. During the greater part of the inward and outward movements of the catch member it is so held by the engagement of the guide or upper end wall 11 of the casing with the lug 20 that it moves with the supporting arm 15 about the pivot pin 16.

Near' the 'end of its outward n'iovelnent the catch member moves independently about the pivot pin 17 to bring the lug 2O into engagement with the stop portion at the upper end or the side wall l() of the casing and at i the outer end ot' the end wall or guide 1l, so as to hold the catch member in its inactive position against the pull or tension of the spring At the beginning of its inward movement, the catch member is tirst shifted about the pivot pin 17 out ot engagement with the stop and then is moved together with the supporting arm 15 by the spring 23 about the pivot pin 1G back to its active position shown in Figs. l, 3 and et.

The bracket or casing which carries the catch member and the pin member must be mounted in proper relative position on the door frame and door. The parts may be arranged either in 'the position shown in the drawing tor doors which swing to the right or in inverted position :for doors that swing to thc lett.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details set forth without de parture from the essentials of the invention.

1 claim,

l. A door-catch comprising catch and pin members` one adapted to be mounted on the door and the other on the door trame, of a pivoted supporting arm whcreon said catch member is pivoted, a spring engaging said arm tor holding said catch in active position, and a guide for said catch member with a stop at one end of said guide for holding said catch member in inactive po sition. said pin member being arranged to shift said catch into and out ot engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed.

2. A door-catch comprising catch and pin members, one adapted to be mounted on the door and the other on the door frame, of a pivoted supporting arm whereon said catch member is pivoted, a spring engaging said arm for holding said catch in active position, and a guide for said catch member with a stop at one end of said guide for holding said catch member in inactive p0- sition, said catch member having two arms or lugs with which said pin member alternately engages to shift said catch member into and out ot' engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed.

3. A doorcatch comprising a bracket, a supporting arm pivoted on the bracket, a catch member pivoted on the arm to swing in a plane parallel to the movement of said arm, a spring mounted on said bracket and engaging said supporting arm for holding said catch in active position, said bracket having a guide for said catch member with a stop at one end of said guide for holding said catch member in inactive posit-ion and a pin member cooperating with said catch .member and arranged to shift the same into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed.

4t. A door --catch comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to the door frame, a supporting arm pivoted on said bracket, a two-armed catch member pivoted on said arm to swing in a plane parallel to the movement of said arm, a spring connected to said bracket and said arm for holding said catch member in active position, said bracket 'having a guide for said catch member with a stop at one end of said guide for holding said catch member in inactive position and a pin member adapted to be mounted and arranged to alternately engage the arms of said catch member to shift the same into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed.

5. A door-catch comprising a casing, a shiiitable support mounted in said casing, a catch member outside of said casing, a pin extending through a slot in said casing and pivotally connecting said support and said catch member, a spring in said casing for holding said catch member in active position, the end andside walls ot said casing forming respectively a guide for said catch. member and a stop 'for holding the samc in inactive position, and a pin member cooperating with said catch member and arranged to shift the same into and ont ot engagement with said side wall or stop.

6. A door catch comprising a casing adapt-ed to be secured to the door frame, ot a supporting arm pivoted on the rear face of the front wall of said casing and having a pin on the end projecting through a mental slot in the front wall of said casing, a two-armed catch part mounted on said pin and having a projection overlapping the edge of said casing, the end and side walls of said casing cooperating with said projection and forming respectively a guide for said catch member and a stop for holding the same in inactive position, a spring within said casing connected respectively to the casing and to said arm for holding said catch part in active posit-ion, and a pin member adapted to be mounted on the door and arranged to alternately engage the arms of said catch member to shift the same into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed.

7. A door-catch con'iprising a b acket adapted to be secured to the face of the door frame, a supporting arm pivoted at one end to said bracket, a two-armed catch member pivoted on the free end of said supporting arm, said supporting arm and said catch member being arranged to swing in planes parallel to the base of said bracket, a spring` connected to said bracket and said arm for holding said catch member in active position, said bracket having a guiding surface arranged at right angles to the planes of movestantially as described.

8. A door catch comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to the face of the door frame, a supporting arm pivoted at one end on said bracket, a catch member pivoted on the end of said supporting arm, said catch member and said supporting arm being arranged to swing in planes parallel to the base of said bracket and said catch member having two arms arranged substantially at right angles to each other, said bracket having a guiding surface at right angles to the planes of movement of said arm and catch member with a stop at one end of said guiding surface and said catch member having a part for engaging said guiding surface and said stop, a spring connected to said bracket and to the free end of said arm for holding said catch member in active position, and astaple adapted to be secured to the door and arranged to alternately engage the arms of said catch member to shift the same into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed, substantially as described.

9. A door-catch comprising a casing adapted to be secured to the face of the door frame, a supporting arm arranged Within said casing and pivoted at one end on the rear face of the front Wall thereof and having a pin on its free end projecting through a segmental slot in the front wall of said casing, a catch member pivoted on the outer end of said pin and having two arms arranged substantially at right angles to each other and a projection overlapping the edge of said casing, the end and side walls of said casing being arranged to coperate with said projection and forming respectively a guide for said catch member and a stop for holding the same in inactive position, a spring Within said casing connected thereto and to the free end of said supporting arm for holding said catch member in active position, and a staple adapted to bc mounted on the door and arranged to alternately engage the arms of said catch member to shift the same into and out of engagement with said stop as the door is opened and closed, substantially as described.

10. A door catch comprising a catch adapted to be mounted on the door frame and comprising a pivoted supporting arm having a two armed catch member pivoted thereon, the adjacent or inner edges of said catch member arms being substantially at right angles to each other, a spring engaging said supporting arm for holding said catch member in active position, a guide for said catch member with a stop at one end of said guide for holding said catch member in an inactive position, and a member adapted to be mounted on the door to coperate with said catch member and arranged to shift the same into and out of an engagement with said stop When the door is opened and closed.'

WILLIAM D. FERRIS. VVit-nesses CHARLES H. VVooDUnN, JOHN F. WTAHL.

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