US2689759A - Door latching mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,539,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. m4 DEMAQ- A. EWDTEQ,

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Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER noon LATCHING MECHANISM 4 mm R t 0 w 0 0 m a, If V w .w m r TVILOEMAQA. Ezvorsae, BY

Filed April 9, 1951 ATrae/s/Ey.

Sgpt. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Filed April 9 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WADE/14,442 A. 52/0752,

ArToQ/VEK Sept. 21, 1954 w. A. ENDTER 2,639,759

DOOR LATCI-IING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet e IN V EN TOR. W 14 05 442 A. EV

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Sept. 21, 1954 Filed April 9, l

w. A. ENDTER 2,689,759 DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. MLDEMAE A. Evorge,

Arroeusy- Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM Waldemar A. Endter, Long Beach, Calif. Application April 9, 1951, Serial No. 219,937

1'7 Claims.

This invention has to do with improvements in door latching and locking mechanisms of a type especially adaptable to automobile doors by reason of the particular operating and control characteristics of the mechanisms.

More particularly, the invention relates to locking and latching devices which may be described generally as comprising a holding assembly or mechanism to be carried by a door for control by so-called outside and inside operators, and em bodying the combination of a bolt movable between latched and unlatched positions, and a cam mounted in spaced relation to the bolt. The stationarily or pillar mounted component of the latch device comprises a keeper structure mounted for reception between the bolt and cam parts of the door-carried holding mechanism so that in the latched condition of the parts, the keeper is held in dove-tail confinement between the bolt and cam.

The primary objects of the invention are directed to the embodiment in a holding mechanism and keeper combination thus characterized, of various novel features responsible for secure and efii'cient performance of the device under all operating conditions. Among the important objects is to adapt the mechanism for efficient take-up action, and specifically in a manner such that upon dove-tail reception of the keeper structure between the bolt and cam, the latter comes into such cooperation with the keeper structure as to produce a progressive take-up action tending to crowd the door to fully closed position and to efiec'tively resist opening movement of the door from that position.

Preferably I employ a keeper structure comprising a housing containing a spring-urged rotatable keeper element positioned in the path of the bolt so that as the door closes, the keeper element engages and overrides the bolt to a position of confinement at what may be termed a rear side of the bolt. During the course of the bolt and keeper interengagement the cam is brought to act against the keeper structure, and preferably against a curved surf-ace of its housin a manner such as to create a progressive and continuing reaction transmitted through the cam to the door-carried parts, and a corresponding closing take-up action on the door.

The type of bolt employed preferably is one mounted for oscillatory movement between latched and unlatched positions, and directly or indirectly spring-urged in a latching direction. Particularly contemplated is the provision of a holding element cooperating with the bolt norm'ally to block its antilatching movement, and releasable by the inside or outside operators to free the bolt for release. As will appear, further controls may be used in association with the holding element, as to prevent its release from block tive embodiments, will be made apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section taken through the door and pillar at their opposed edges, with the door 7 fully closed and the pearing in plane;

Fig. 2 is a view taken from the plane of line 2-2 in Fig. l, show-ing in elevation the doorcarried holding mechanism with the keeper structure received between the bolt and take-up cam;

Fig. 3 is a view taken online 3-3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the keeper structure in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the holding mechanism parts exposed within the case and in fully latched association with the keeper structure;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6 and illustrating the push button connection with the blocking lever;

Fig. 10 is a cross section on line lO-Hl of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on line I l-l l of Fig. 6 showing the key-actuated arm connection with the blocking lever;

Fig. 12 is a cross section on line Iii-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view showing certain of the holding mechanism parts in the positions assumed upon release of the bolt through actuation of the out side opera-tor;

Fig. 14 is a view illustrating the relationship of certain of the parts upon partial opening of the door to a safety catch position;

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the positions assumed by the parts upon movement of the bolt to unlatched position by the inside operator;

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a progression of the positions taken by the bolt, takeup cam and latch mechanism parts apkeeper structure as the door closes from open to latched position;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken on line I9-l9 of Fig. 21, illustrating a variational form of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a view of the keeper structure taken on line 2620 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a view taken on line 2l-2| of Fig. 19, showing certain of the holding mechanism parts at .the inside of one flange of the doorcarried case;

Fig. 22 is a View taken on line 22-22 showing the associated holding mechanism parts at the inside of a second flange of the case;

Fig. 23 is a cross section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24-. is a cross section on line 24-25 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a section taken on line 25 -25, of Fig. 23, and Fig. 26 is a fragmentary view showing certain parts of Fig. 22 in changed positions.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 18, and particularly to the door and pillar assembly showing of Fig. 1, the latch mechanism comprises a holding mechanism, generally indicated at 25 contained by the swinging door 21, and specifically by application to its edge face 28, and a keeper structure, generally indicated at 29, stationarily applied to the edge face 30 of the usual door frame or pillar 3|. The door and pillar are shown to carry cushions 32 and 33 which in the illustrated closed position of the door, bear respectively against the pillar and door shoulders 34 and 35. The hollow door structure is shown to contain the window glass 35 received and vertically movable within the channel-shaped glass run 36 carried by the inside of the metal edge piece 28. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the holding mechanism 25 being mounted at the outside of the door edge, is entirely free from interference with the glass window and its run, and is so positioned as to be controllable, in the manner later explained, by the outside push button operator mechanism generally indicated at 31, and the inside door handle mechanism generally indicated at 38.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the keeper structure 29 is shown to comprise a housing 39 containing a base plate 40 and attached to the pillar edge 30 by screws 4! with plate 40 confined between the pillar face and the housing flange 39a. The housing contains a keeper 42 mounted for pivotal movement on pin 43 terminating in plate 420 and at 44 in the outer wall of the housing. As illustrated, the keeper 42 projects out of the open bottom of the housing and has at 46 an arcuate shoulder extending about the arcuate edge 4'! of the housing.

Keeper 42 is constantly urged in a direction of clockwise rotation as viewed in Fig. 3, by coil spring 48, one end of which terminates at 49 in the keeper, with the other terminal of the spring bearing against lug 50 struck out of the base plate 50. The keeper is rotatable between the limits of engagement between its shoulder 5| with edge 52 of the housing 39, and engagement of the end of the keeper slot 53 with the housing edge at 54. It may be observed at this point that the keeper edge 55 presents a curved surface engageable, as will appear, against the bolt, and that beyond this surface the keeper has a safety catch notch 56 cooperable with the bolt as explained hereinafter. Also it is noted that the housing 39 presents at 51 an arcuate surface engageable progressively and smoothly by the later described take-up cam.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 6 and 7, the holding mechanism 25 comprises a case 26 shaped to provide at 58 a recess for reception of the keeper structure 29 in the latched association of the parts appearing in Figs. 2 and 6. The top and bottom flanges 59 and 60 of the case are attached to the door edge 28 by screws 6|. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the housing 26 contains a base plate 63 which, together with the outer wall of the housing 26, terminally receives the pivot pins 64, 65, 66 and 16. The extent of the base plate about the recess 28 and at 65a at the inside of the case flanges 59 and 66, appears clearly in Fig. 6.

The case contains a bolt 61 pivoted intermediate its ends on the pin 66 for movement between the latched and unlatched positions appearing respectively in Figs. 6 and 13. One end 61a of the bolt, presenting an outer curved face 68, an upper nose 69 and an inclined inwardly facing surface '10, is projectible up through opening H in the case adjacent the curved case wall 12 at the inside of the recess 58. The bolt has an inner extent or arm 61b presenting a curved edge 12, and a safety catch notch at E3. As illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, the thickness of the bolt arm 61b is reduced to provide at its far side a shoulder 14 for engagement by the spring urged setting crank generally indicated at 15;, as will later appear.

The bolt ii is urged for rotation in a clockwise direction about pin 66 as viewed in Fig. 6

.by the setting crank mounted for rotation about pin 16. terminating in the base plate 63 and housing '26, the crank being urged to rotate counterclockwise about the pin by coil spring '5? encircling the pin, one end of the spring bearing against the base plate lug E8 and the other end at it against the crank. The latter has an arm 33 bearing against the bolt shoulder iii and thus tending to maintain the bolt in the latched position. of Fig. 6, and a second arm 8i presenting a curved face 32.

Normally the bolt 67 is blocked against antilatching rotation by an outside operator actuated means including a holding lever 53 and a trig er element 53!, both pivotally mounted on pin 65. Element 83i is urged for clockwise rotation about the pin by coil spring 24 bearing at one end against the element lug t5. As illustrated in Fig. 6, by reason of the relative rotatability of arm 53 and element 33!, lug 86 is spaced from surface 8? of the arm for reception of the upper end of the crank arm 8| so that curved surface 82 of the latter bears against the arm face Near its lower end the trigger element 83! has a curved shoulder 66 engageable against the bolt surface 72a. to block the bolt against antilatching rotation from fully latched position, and engageable also against the notch shoulder lg to hold the bolt in a safety catch position, as will later appear. As best illustrated in Fig. l, the upper end of the lever 83 is turned at E3! to extend thr u h an e ing 9 n t e a p a 3 d door edge 28 for engagement by the outside operator 3?. At this point it may be observed that upon counter-clockwise rotation about pin arm 83 displaces the crank 15 against the resistance of spring ll, moving the arm shoulder 83 out of engagement with the bolt face We initially to the safety catch position appearing in Fig. 14, and finally to the fully releasing position as in Fig. 13.

The bolt 6! also is releasable to open or antilatching position by a second or inside operator controlled lever 9B2 mounted for oscillation on pin 56 at the inside of the bolt, the right hand extent of the lever carrying a lug 9| engageable upwardly against the underside of the crank arm 89. The opposite end am is engageabie by the nose 92 of a crank arm 93 pivoted on pin 64 and having at its lower end a pivotal connection 95 with strap 96 to be connected to the usual inside doorhandle, not shown, and comprising part of the mechanism indicated at 38 in Fig. 1. Thus upon actuation of the inside door handle to rotate arm 93 clockwise as Viewed in Fig. 10, lug 9i engages and rotates the setting crank I5 clockwise against the resistance of its spring to an extent releasing the bolt to open position as illustrated in Fig. 15. It will be noted that the same rotation of the setting crank engages its arm 3i against lug 8% to rotate the trigger element 83% to the Fig. released position and out of blocking association with the bolt.

Directly above recess 53, the case contains a cam 93 pivoted on pin fill, the cam depending through opening Iilll in the case and having a bottom curved camming surface IGI of progressively increasing radii counterclockwise about the axis of the pin 96. The cam is urged to rotate clockwise and into engagement with the keeper structure, and specifically the curved surface 5'! of the housing 39, by a coil spring I52, one end of which bears against the base plate lug I83 and the other at I04 against edge I95 of the cam. As shown in Fig. 13, clockwise rotation of the cam under the influence of the spring, is limited by the cam engagement with the case shoulder I65 at the end of the opening I00.

Also mounted on pin 80 is a blocking lever It! which in the course of its actuation, oscillates between the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 13, the lever being positively urged to the limits of those two positions by an over-center spring Hi8 one end of which terminates at Its in the lever, and the other end at i I I! in the base plate 53. Struck inwardly from arm lilla. of the lever is a lug II! which in the Fig. 6 position blocks the releasing lever 83, as will later appear. The terminal II 2 of the lever arm Idla is received within opening IE3 in anarrn Il i associated with the later described key controlled parts. On its underside, arm Illic carries a lug H5 engageable by the cam edge I 85. The opposite arm Hill) of the blocking lever has a terminal H6, see Fig. received within opening II? in a lever H8 extending through opening II 5 in the door edge and pivoted on pin I29 carried by the bracket I2I. Lever I I 61 is connected at I22 to the usual push button rod I 23 extending upwardly through the garnish mold of the door. In the solid line position appearing in Fig. 9, the push button rod has been thrust down to swing lever III? to the Fig. 6 position in which the lever-carried lug I I I is brought into the path of counterclockwise swinging of the lever extension 83I in slot I2 1, thus blocking lever 83 against counterclockwise rotation beyond the point of such engagement. As the push button rod is pulled up to the broken line position of Fig. 9, lever IQ! is rotated counterclockwise to the Fig. 13 position, raising lug I I I above and out of the path of the lever extension 83 I Referring now to the outside operator mechanism as particularly illustrated in Figs. 1, 11 and 12, a polygonal cross section shaft I 26 extending through opening I21 in the door handle I28, carries on its outer end a key tumbler cylinder I29, between which and the door face I30 is placed a coil spring I3I so that the shaft I25 is reciprocable longitudinally against the resistance of the spring by push button action upon exertion of finger pressure against the cylinder I29. The inner end of the shaft I26 extends through the correspondingly polygonal opening I32 in a bearing I 33 rotatably carried Within a bracket arm I 34% extending inwardly from the door edge 25;. The previously described arm H4 is carried by the bearing I33 for rotation therewith, that is, the shaft I26, bearing and arm I I I are rotatable together in response to turning of the shaft. As the shaft is pushed inwardly, its inner end engages the holding lever extension 83I to release the trigger 83! from blocking engagement with the bolt. Upon release of finger pressure against the cylinder I29, spring I3I returns the shaft to its illustrated position. Shaft I 2G is rotatable by insertion and turning of a key within the cylinder I29, and as the shaft is rotated, the blocking lever It! is oscillate-d between the two positions illustrated in Figs. 6 and 13.

In considering the operation of the mechanism, assume first the door to be closed with the parts positioned as in Fig. 6 and the push button rod I23 to be thrust down in its Fig. 9 solid position. In the resulting Fig. 6 position of the lever I37, lug II I lies in the path of the lever extension 82H thus blocking bolt releasing rotation of lever 83 and element 83I in response to operation of the push but-ton rod I26. By raising the push button rod I23 to the broken line position of Fig. 9, lever If is thrown to the Fig. 13 position so that movement of the outside operator I26 can rotate lever 83 in a bolt releasing direction. Depending upon the extent of the lever rotation, it may first be brought to the intermediate position of Fig. 14, in which the lever shoulder 38 engages in the safety catch notch I3 to hold the bolt in a partially released but still latching position in its holding relation with the keeper 42. Upon further rotation of the lever 83, the bolt 67 is permitted to drop to the fully opened position of Fig. 13. It will be noted that at the start of its bolt releasing rotation, the lever has a maximum distance of contact between pivot 65 and the point of engagement between surfaces 31 and 32, with resultant maximum mechanical advantage in overcoming the resistance of spring TI to rotate the bolt setting crank 15. When the bolt is fully released, the parts assume their Fig. 13 position in which the keeper structure 29 is freed from its dove-tail retention between the bolt and cam 98, thus permitting the door to open. As the outside operator I26 is released, the parts restore to the Fig. 16 position.

From the foregoing it will be understood that a similar sequence of bolt releasing movements occurs upon actuation of the inside operator 93 causing lever 962 to rotate trigger 83I in a releasing direction through the intermediary and spring resistance of the crank I5. Fig. 15 illustrates r the released condition of the parts upon full actuation of the inside operator. When the latter is released, the parts (except for lever Hi7) restore to their Fig. 6 positions.

Assume now the door to be open with the parts positioned as in Fig. 16. As the door is swung in a closing direction, face 68 of the bolt is engaged againstthe keeper surface 2 I, and as the bolt further advances to the Fig. 17 position, nose 59 snaps into the safety catch notch 56 in the keeper to initially hold the door against reer f Openin mo eme t. At about t i poin t e ke p en ges the ottom o n r of the am 98, andas the door continues to move inward and the keeper to override the nose of the bolt, the cam is displaced counterclockwise by the consequent rotation of the keeper element, an upper portion 42a of the keeper element engaging the cam at 98a to effect such cam displacement. At this point of overriding the nose of the bolt, the keeper is snapped counterclockwise by its spring 48 downwardly against the bolt surface 15 to a latched position corresponding to Fig. 18. It is to be noted that the keeper housing surface i n g d by the cam 98 in both Figs. 17 and 18 so that the keeper structure is held in dovetail relation with the cam and bolt in the safety catch position and all further latched positions beyond. As the parts assume their Fig. 18 position, the clockwise thrust of the cam against the keeper housing surface 51 tends to crowd the holding mechanism 29 and door to fully closed positions against the Cushions 32 and 35 with a resultant take-up action represented by the travel of the keeper 42 down along the bolt surface 16 from the Fig. 18 position to that illustrated in Fig. 6. It is observed that together the cam edge surface IUI and bolt face III present an inwardly divergent or wedge shaped space or throat, and that as a result of the cam thrust against the keeper housing, the keeper structure is subjected to a squeeze between the cam and bolt surfaces, tending to produce a take-up displacement of the door and holding mechanism parts carried thereby.

It is important that the cam be positively displaced in the above manner during bolt overriding movement of the keeper element in order that the take-up action of the cam may occur after the keeper has moved into latched engagement with the rear face of the bolt. Unless the cam take-up action is thus delayed until after latching of the keeper and bolt, the full effect of the cam is not attained.

As will be evident from the foregoing, when the door is closed, the latch mechanism may be locked from the outside by key rotation of the shaft I26 and consequent rotation of arm II4 to swing lever I01 into the blocking position of Fig. 6. Corresponding blocking movement of the lever may result from operation of the push button rod I23 when it is desired to lock the door at the inside.

Upon occasions, the door may be swung from open to closed position with the blocking lever I51 in its Fig. 6 position as a result of prior locking of the parts by key at the outside, or by the push button rod at the inside of the door. Referring to Figs. 16 to 18, as it strikes the keeper housing surface 51, the cam is rotated into engagement with the blocking lever lug I I5, following which continued counterclockwise rotation of the cam produces corresponding rotation of the lever I61 in displacing lug I II to the Fig. 13 position, freeing lever 83 for actuation thereafter by the outside operator.

In Figs. 19 to 24 I show a variational form of the invention having essentially the same operating characteristics as the previously described embodiment, but differing primarily in its somewhat simpler construction and incorporation within the door, as distinguished from accommodation of the door-carried parts mainly outd the door ge as in Fig. 1.-v

Referring particularly to Figs. 19 to 21, the latc assem ly compr ses a keep r structure g nerally indicated at I40 carried by the inner face of the door pillar HI, and a holding mechanism generally indicated at I42 carried Within the door I43 in opposed relation to the keeper structure. As illustrated in Fig. 20, the keeper assembly I40 corresponds essentially to the keeper structure previously described and illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Briefly, the assembly may comprise the same form of housing I44 attached to the pillar by screws I45 and containing a keeper element I45 corresponding to the keeper 42 and urged by coil 7 spring I41, see Fig, 0, to rotate in a clockwise direction.

As best illustrated in Figs. 19 and 21, the holding mechanism I42 comprises a support or case I48 including a flange I49 inside and paralleling the door edge 43, and a second right angle flange I50. Clamped between flange I49 and the door metal is the flange I5I of an open bottom housing I52, see Fig. 23, containing the take-up cam I53. The cam, corresponding in shape and function to the previously described cam 98, is carried by pin I54 and is rotatably urged thereon in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the dotted line cam position of Fig. 21, by coil spring I55 terminally received Within slot I56, the other end of the spring being received within a recess I51 in the cam, see Fig, 25. An arm I58 rotatably carried by the pin I54 at the inside of the case carries a lug I projecting with an arcuate recess ISI in the cam. When rotated counterclockwise from the Fig. 25 position, the cam engages the lug at I92 so that the lug and arm 58 are carried with the cam. Rotation of the cam under the influence of the spring is limited by the engagement of the cam with its housing at I93.

Below and. in spaced relation to the cam, the case contains a pin I6I on which is pivotally mounted an arm plate I62 carrying a bolt lug I63 extending through and having its flange [63a secured to the inside of the plate I62. As illustrated in Figs. 21 and 23 the bolt I53 extends through and is capable of oscillation within a slot I64 in the door edge and case flange I49.

The bolt I63 and plate I62 normally are retained in their keeper latching positions of Fig. 21 by crank element I66 pivotally carried by pin I61 and urged by coil spring I68 to rotate clockwise about the pin, one end of the spring bearing at I69 against the retaining element and the other at I10 against lug I1I struck out of the case. The element I66 comprises an arm I12 having shoulder I13 engageable by the lower corner I14 of plate I62, normally to positively hold the bolt I63 in latching position. Beyond shoulder I13, the arm contains a notch I15 for reception of the plate corner I14 in a safety catch position of the parts, reached upon partial release of the bolt from full latching position. The element I66 then carries a second arm I16, the

nose I11 of which is engageable against arm I18 of a control plate I19.

The latter is mounted for oscillation on pin I6I and carries a flange I19a engageable by the diagrammatically indicated longitudinally reciprocable outside operator or push button rod I86. An over-center spring I8I terminally connected at I82 and I83 respectively to the plate I19 and case, serves to positively throw the plate to the limits of its oscillation about the pin I6I. Normally the plate is stopped against counterclockwise rotation relative to the bolt plate I62 by engagement of lug I84 carried by plate I19 and enga eable a ai st t e d e of p e I62- Plate I19 has also an arm I85 having 2. turned end I86, the purpose of which will presently appear.

As will be understood from the first described form of the invention, as the door-carried assembly of Fig. 21 is swung toward the left against the keeper structure MG designated by the dotted lines in Fig. 21, the keep-er element Hi6 overrides the bolt E83, first to the safety catch position, and then to the progressive latched positions beyond. Simultaneously, the upper face 46a of the keeper element engages against the cam face I53a, rotating the cam against the resistance of its spring I55 until the cam overrides the keeper housing Hi l, whereupon the cam starts and continues to exert its take-up thrust, the reaction to which results in progressive take-up action and closing of the door.

Referring now to the control mechanism shown in Figs. 22 and 26, a longitudinally reciprocable link 202 to be operated by the inside door handle, not shown, is pivotally connected at ii of the arm 2132 of a lever 263 pivotally mounted at 224. The opposite arm 265 of lever 203 has a terminal 286 engageable with the previously described lug its to release the bolt I53 from latched condition, as will later appear. The arm 225 carries a depending projection or arm portion 201.

The control mechanism also includes a vertically shiftable link 208 guided by pins 264 and 229 extending respectively through slots 2 it and 2 I I in the link. The latter contains at its upper end a notch 2I2 which receives arm I58 so that the link and arm are interengaged for movement together. Provision is made for positively throwing the link toward the limits of its vertical travel as defined by the engagement of pins 204 and 209 with the ends of slots 2H! and 2| I, by means of an over-center spring 2I3, the ends of which are connected respectively to the link and case flange I550.

The control mechanism also includes a rotor 2M mounted between flange I50 and a housing plate M5, the rotor to be actuated by key controlled turning outside the door of a shaft receivable within opening 2 I 6 in the rotor hub. The rotor a plurality of arms, the first 2|! of which is receivable within a recess 2 l 8 in the link 2518, so that the arm and link are in eiiect geared for movement together. The rotor carries a second arm m engageable with a curved camming surface 229 on the arm 282, and a third arm 22I underlying arm 26? as viewed in Fig. 2 and adapted to be swung beneath and in blocking relation to lug I85, as illustrated in Fig. 26.

In considering the operation of the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 19 to 26, assume the keeper structure to be held in latched condition between the cam and bolt as shown in Fig. 21, and the control mechanism parts to be positioned as in Fig. 22. As previously described, the bolt I53 may be released by actuation of the outside operator I82 and resultant rotation of the lever I85 and arms I16 and I12. The bolt may also be released by movement toward the right of link 2% in Fig. 22, resulting in movement of the arm terminal 206 downwardly against lug I88, causing bolt releasing rotation of lever I83 and arms I16 and I12 in the same manner as response to actuation of the outside operator I88.

Assume next that it is desired to lock the door in closed position. Upon key turning of the rotor 2! t clockwise, arm 22| is swung beneath lug I 86, see Fig. 26, thus blocking lever I 85 against bolt releasing rotation. Counterclockwise rotation of the rotor H4 is accommodated 10 by upward shifting of the link 228 and rotation of the arm I58.

Next, assume the door to be open with the parts in the locked condition of Fig. 26 and that the door is to be closed. As the keeper element I46 strikes against the bolt I 53, the keeper element is rotated into engagement with the cam shoulder I53a, producing rotation of the arm I58 and downward shifting of the link 238. Through its connection at 2H, 2I8 with the link, the rotor 2M is turned clockwise from its Fig. 26 position and restored to the Fig. 22 condition, thus all in a manner such that restoration of the holding mechanism from locked to unlocked condition occurs as a result of closing interengagement of the latch mechanism parts.

Finally assume the mechanism to be engaged in fully latched condition and that it is desired to lock the door at the inside by actuation of the link 2G0. Upon shifting of the latter to the left as viewed in Fig. 22, the rotor arm 2 I9 is engaged by cam surface 220 on the lever arm 2G2 and the rotor is turned counterclockwise to a position corresponding to that of Fig. 26 in which the rotor arm 22I is swung beneath and in block ing relation to the lug I86.

I claim:

1. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by a first member and com prising a bolt movable between latched and unlatched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latched position, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing said holding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movable relative to said first member and positioned for reception in dove-tail relation between and in engagement with said cam and bolt. said keeper structure comprising a pivotally mov able latching keeper element defiectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as one of said members moves relative to the other to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively caring against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, and said cam then moving in said take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and said keeper structure relatively together in a final closing movement, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the earn to displace the cam in said anti-take-up direction.

2. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, in which said cam and bolt form essentially a wedge-shaped space within which the keeper structure is confined.

3. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means mounting said cam for pivotal movement, and a spring urging the cam in said take-up direction and against the keeper structure.

4. A latch device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means constantly urging said bolt toward latched position.

i -5. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by a first member and comprising a bolt movable between latched un- 11 latched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latched position, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing said holding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movable relative to said first member and positioned for reception in dove-tail relation between and in engagement with said cam and bolt, said keeper structure comprising a housing and a pivotally movable latching keeper element partially contained within the housing and deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as one of said members moves relative to the other to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, and said cam then moving in a take-up direction to exert against the keeper housing a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and said keeper structure relatively together in a final closing movement, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said antitake-up direction as the keeper element overrides the bolt.

6. A latch device as claimed in claim 5, comprising means mounting said cam for pivotal movement, and a spring urging the cam in said take-up direction and against said keeper hous- '7. A latch device as claimed in claim 5, comprising a spring urging the cam in said take-up direction and against said keeper housing.

8. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a door pillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holding mechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, means pivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatched positions, a movable take-up cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeper structure being positioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then moving in a takeup direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closing movement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positively maintain the bolt in latched position, and means for releasing said holding means, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said anti-take-up direction.

9. A latch device as claimed in claim 8, comprising a spring constantly exerting a force urging said bolt toward latched position.

10. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a door pillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holding mechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, means pivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatched positions, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeper structure being positioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such defiection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then moving in a take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closing movement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positively maintain the bolt in latched position, a pivotal bolt setting member engageable with the bolt, a spring urging said member to maintain said bolt in latched position, and means for releasing said holding means against the resistance of said setting member, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said anti-take-up direction.

11. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a door pillar and comprising a pivotally movable keeper element, a holding mechanism to be carried by a swinging door and comprising a bolt, means pivotally mounting the bolt for movement between latched and unlatched positions, a cam movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to the bolt, said keeper structure being positioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such de flection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding. of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then moving in a take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closing movement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positively maintain the bolt in latched position, means for releasing said holding means, and a member movable into and out of a position blocking said holding means against bolt releasing movement, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said antitake-up direction.

12. A latch device comprising a keeper structure to be carried by a door pillar and. comprising ture being positioned for reception between the bolt and cam in dove-tail relation as the door closes and said keeper element being deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the door closes to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam in said take-up direction, said cam being positioned in the path of said keeper element at a location to be displaced thereby in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to be held in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, said cam then moving in a take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and door in a final door closing movement, movable holding means engageable with said bolt to positively maintain the bolt in latched position, and means for releasing said holding means, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on the cam to displace the cam in said antitake-up direction.

13. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by a first member and comprising a bolt movable between latched and unlatched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latched position, and a movable element positioned in spaced relation to said bolt; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movable relative to said first member and positioned for reception in dovetail relation between and in engagement with said bolt and element, said keeper structure including means engageable with a rear face of said bolt to hold the keeper structure and bolt against relative separating movement, said element being positioned at a location to be engaged and displaced by said keeper structure as said structure moves into said dovetail relation between the bolt and element, said device including movable unlocking means for releasing said bolt retaining means to permit movement of the bolt to said unlatched position, said element and said unlocking means having shoulders interengageable to actuate the unlocking means and thereby release the bolt retaining means upon said displacement of said element by the keeper structure.

14. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by a first member and including a bolt movable between latched and unlatched positions, and retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latched position; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movable relative to said first member and including a pivotally movable latching keeper element deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as the members move together to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said device including a movable part positioned at a location to be engaged and displaced by said keeper element upon said deflection of the keeper element by the bolt, and including movable unlocking means for releasing said bolt retaining means to permit movement of the bolt to unlatched position, said part and said unlocking means having shoulders interengageable to actuate the unlocking means and thereby release the bolt retaining means upon said displacement of said part by the keeper element.

15. A latch device as recited in claim 14 in which said movable part is positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, and said keeper structure is positioned for reception in dovetail relation between and in engagement with said bolt and said movable part.

16. A latch device as recited in claim 15 including a spring yieldingly resisting said displacement of the movable part, said keeper structure including a keeper housing against which said movable part bears in closed condition of the device.

17. A latch device comprising a holding mechanism to be carried by a first member and comprising a bolt movable between latched and unlatched positions, retaining means releasably maintaining said bolt in latched position, cam means movable in take-up and anti-take-up directions and positioned in spaced relation to said bolt, means for releasing said holding means; and a keeper structure to be carried by a second member movable relative to said first member and positioned for reception in dovetail relation between and in engagement with said cam means and bolt, said keeper structure comprising a pivotally movable latching keeper element deflectible by engagement with a forward face of the bolt as one of said members moves relative to the other to override the bolt and then engage a rear face of the bolt, said cam means having a surface progressively bearing against said keeper structure upon movement of the cam means in said take-up direction, said keeper element having a shoulder engageable with a shoulder on said cam means and acting to displace said cam means in anti-take-up direction upon such deflection of the keeper element by the bolt and to hold the cam means in displaced position during said overriding of the bolt by the keeper element, and said cam means then moving in said take-up direction to exert against the keeper structure a thrust tending to urge said holding mechanism and said keeper structure relatively together in a final closing movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,047,401 Whitted July 14, 1936 2,074,191 Roethel Mar. 16, 1937 2,156,874 Schonitzer May 2, 1939 2,259,670 Van Voorhees Oct. 21, 1941 2,276,325 Marple Mar. 17, 1942 2,427,511 Roethel Sept. 16, 1947 2,450,372 Craig Sept. 28, 1948 2,649,321 Smith Aug. 18, 1953

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