US2166252A - Hood latch - Google Patents

Description

July 18, 1939. D. P. HYNES HOOD LATCH Original Filed Sept. 3,

1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 18, 1939. HYNES I 2,166,252

' HOOD LATCH Original Filed Sept. 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 saga Q 4 3 PMLM Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES HOOD LATCH Dibrell P. Hynes, Chicago, 111., assignor to mcago Forging & Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original application September 3, 1937, Serial Divided and this application April s, 1938, Serial No. 200,848

,2 Claims. (01. cos- 21) My invention relates to an improvement in hood latch and closures and has for one purpose the provision of a closure adaptable for use for example with hood closures of automobiles.

Another purpose is the provision of improved bearing means for the controlling handle of the shaft of a hood latch.

Another purpose is the provision of improved reinforcing means for reinforcing the hood closure.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 162,309 which was filed on September 3, 1937.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings where- 1n:

Figure 1 is an inside elevation;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure .3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; v

Figure 4 is an enlarged View of a portion of i the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure ,5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a 'view of the structure shown in Figure 4 with the parts in a different position;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 'l'! of Figure 6; and I Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, I indicates a portion of the automobile body and 2 a portion of the radiator structure or some part adjacent to or associated therewith. 3 indicates a portion of the hood closure herein shown as the movable or hinged portion. As the details thereof do not of themselves form part of the present invention, I do not show the hinged structure. Secured for example by bolts to the inner face of the member 3 is a reinforcing channel, including a body portion 4 herein shown as curved and flanges 5, 6 at the opposite edges thereof with intermediate webs whereby the members 5 and 6 engage the inner face of the closure 3 and support the portion 4 in inwardly spaced relation thereto.

Secured to the member 4 is a rock shaft 8 herein shown as curved or distorted by the employment of a plurality of bearing members 9, 9 and l0, Ill. The details of the bearing members 9, 9 are shown for example in Figure 8, said bearing member including the rod engaging loop II, the toe l2 penetrating through the aperture IS, the flange I4 bearing against the face of the member 4, and any suitable bolt or securing means l5. The ends of the rod 8 are offset to form locking cranks l6 which operate against any suitable upwardly and inwardly inclined locking keepers or brackets IT, as shown for example in Figure 8.

I8 is a central crank offset of the rod 8. It may be rotated into and out of locking position, for example by the exterior handle I9, and includes a generally cylindrical portion terminated in a flat screw-threaded portion 2|, the portion 2| projecting through an aperture 22 in the member 3 and through an intermediate portion of the channel member 4.

23 indicates a crank member shown as having a substantially fiat bearing surface opposed throughout a substantial area to the central portion 25 of the channel member 4. It has a crank portion proper 26 shown as rolled in a partially cylindrical form and inclined inwardly somewhatin relation to the bearing face of the member 23. It is provided with any suitable hardened outer sleeve 21 conforming in shape thereto and held in position for example by crimped portions 28. This hardened surface 27, which may be of thin sheet metal, is opposed to the crank offset l8 and the two are held in engagement or opposition by any suitable stirrup 29, which stirrup is apertured to fit over the portion 26 and may also be held in position by the crimped portions or lugs 28. Since it is rotatable about the member 26, it moves as the handle I9 is rotated and prevents any unintended binding or looking.

With reference for example to Figure 6, it will be seen that the crank offset IB has radial portions 30 which are connected at their outer ends by a connecting portion including two angular sections 3! and 32, the purpose for which will later appear.

The central portion 25 of the channel member 4 may be reinforced by a spacing or reinforcing member having a web 33 opposed to the inner surface of the member 25 and conforming generally thereto. It may have a circumferential spacing flange 34 and a cup 35 terminating in a bearing sleeve 36, which is alined with a bearing sleeve 3'! formed in the portion 25 of the reinforcing channel. The portion 20 extends through said bearing sleeves and the assembly may be locked together as by the washer 38 and the lock nuts 39. The reinforcing member may also be provided with a lug 40 extending through an aperture 4| in the portion 25 and serving as a limiting abutment for the member 23. It may also be provided with ears 42 which extend through apertures 43 in the member 25 to form the bearings If! for the rock shaft 8.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts. I therefore wish my drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to the specific structure herein shown and described.

It will be realized, for example, that whereas I have shown my rock shaft and locking means as mounted on the movable portion of an automobile hood closure, it may equally well be positioned on a fixed portion with the abutment IT or its equivalent being positioned on the movable portion.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

When the handle I9 is in the position in which it is shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the locking cranks I6 are in looking or latching position against the keeper brackets H. The spring of the shaft 8 in connection with the inclination of the brackets ll causes the closure 3 to be drawn downwardly and inwardly at the same time in a firm, and rattle-preventing position. The resilience of the rod 8 and its cranks and the fact that the crank IB is set on an inclined surface provides an automatic take-up feature to care for wear or for variations in size and location of parts. This is important under assem bly line conditions of production.

The bearing means for the shaft are of importance and it will be noted, as for example in Figure 5, that the members and 33 are provided with alined bearing sleeves 36 and 31, one formed on the main channel or reinforcement of the device and the other on the intermediate reinforcement which is located within the web of the channel member.

When the handle is moved in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1 through an arc of about ninety degrees, the rock shaft 8 is rotated into unlatching position, the cranks I 6 being moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 8. This rotation of the rock shaft 8 is caused by the engagement of its intermediate crank portion between the crank member 26 of the handle assembly and the stirrup 29. The portions 3|, 32 have for function to crowd the rock shaft toward locking position and to maintain a firm locking relationship.

Starting from the unlocked position of Fig. 6, the member 26 first rides along one of the rock shaft portions and thereby causes a rotation of the rock shaft. However, it shortly rides over the end of the section 30 and then rides upon 1 the inclined portion 32. This being outwardly inclined or bowed, causes a further progressive movement of the rock shaft toward locking position. The parts are so proportioned that when the member 23 engages the abutment 40, the device is slightly past center and the torsion of the rock shaft tends to keep the parts in locked position.

I claim:

1. In a support for shafts, a relatively extended supporting member, a base plate, said base plate including flanges engaging said supporting member, and a web spaced outwardly from said supporting member throughout a substantial area, an intermediate reinforcement between said web and said supporting member, said reinforcement including portions projecting through apertures in said web, a shaft extending through said supporting member, said web and said reinforcement, and alined bearing members for said shaft, one being formed in said web and another in said intermediate reinforcement.

2. In a support for a plurality of shafts, the axes of said shafts being at right angles to each other, a relatively extended supporting member, a base plate, said base plate including flanges engaging said supporting member, and a web spaced outwardly away from said supporting member through a substantial area, an intermediate reinforcement between said web and said supporting member, including portions extending through apertures in said supporting member, said portions being formed into bearing sleeves, a shaft extending through said bearing sleeves, and being located on the side of said base plate opposite to said intermediate reinforcement, and an additional shaft extending through said supporting member, said web and said reinforcement, and alined bearing members for said shaft, one being formed in said web and another in said intermediate reinforcement.

DIBRELL P. HYNES.

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