US2613971A - Door latch - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1952 c. o. GosERuD DOOR LATCH Filed May 23, 194e l new,

6 l5 29 4?54 5mm 33 CHESTER' O. GO ERUD Patented Oct. 14, 1952 Chester 0. Gcserud, St. Paul, Minn. i

Application May 23, 194.6; Serial No. 671,848

11 Claims. (Cl. 22.2.-226) My .invention relates to door latches and particularly to latches for use in conjunction with screen doors and storm doors.

An object of the invention resides in providing a latch which is easy to operate.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a latch which Will hold the door tightly closed.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a latch in which pressure on the latch lug l will not release the latch.

An object of the invention resides in providing a latch in which the door may be slammed shut and the latch lug positively brought into latching position.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a latch having a housing and a lever pivoted thereto and in pivoting to said lever an arm carrying a striker lug for engagement with the striker plate of the invention.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a latch lug pivoted to the arm and that can be moved into engagement with the striker plate.

A still further object of the invention resides in the construction for mounting the spring which urges the latch lug into engagement with the striker plate.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing said arm with a catch and in providingV a locking member for engaging the catch to restrain movement of the latch lug with respect `to the lever.

An objectof the invention resides in forming in the housing a slot through which said lever extends and in which the same is movable and in providing a follower connected to the lever and arranged to close said slot.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan sectional view of a portion of a screen door and casing illustrating an embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with portions of the lever and housing cutaway and showing the operating mechanism of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 showing the parts in altered position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in still different position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken-on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. Gis a sectional view taken on line--Ii-of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a view` similar ,to 3 showing the partsin still-differentl position.`

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the drawings; a portion of a door III which is movable-toward and froma casing. I I. Thiscasinghas a stop I2- With which the door-|10 engages when in closed position. The dooris hinged in the customary vmanner at the edge of the-.sameopposite the stop I2.

My improved latch Acomprises a housing I3 which is vconstructed intwo sections I4. and- I5. The section I4 has a Wall I6- which overliesthe inner surface I'I of the door, I0. Thesa-id section `also has a wall I8 which overliesthe edge 20 of the door which faces the casing II. This wall is formed withV an offset' I 9. The section I5- of the housing I3 has a wall 21|- which overlies the outer surface 2v2 of the door I0. Said section also has a wall 23 which overlies the wall I8 of section I4 and iits4 into the offset I9. This, permits of forming a substantially-smooth surface at the edge 20 of the door and permits of attaching the housing to doors of varying thickness. In the wall I 6 of section I4 of housing I3 is formed a slot 24. This slot is'v constructed by severing a portion of the metal of the wall-and bending said portion inwardly at right angles as best shown inl Fig. 3. This portion forms a back to the housing which is indicated at 25 in said figure. The section I4 has an opening 26 formed in the wall I8 of the same and extending throughout the width of said wall. The .metal removed from the Wall I8 in the formation-,oi` this opening is turned back into the interior of the housing to form two ears 21 shown in- Figs. 1 and 6. The wall 23 of the section I5 is formed with an opening 33 Which registers` with the opening 26. In conjunction with the housing I3, a wall structure 28 is employed which consists of a back 29 and two side walls 3| and 32. This wall structure is of such dimension that the same fits snugly between the back 25 and the wall I8 and so that the two side walls 3| and 32 iitsnugly between the ears21 as shown in Fig. 6. The wall 2|V of section I5 is formed with an opening 34 which forms a continuation of the openings 33 and 26 in the Walls I8 and 23.

The door I0 is formed with a cavity 82 which receives the housing I3.v The walls I6 and'fZI of the housing overly the surfaces I1 and 22 o'fv the door I0 upon the exterior thereof while the walls I8 and 23 are received in a recess g83.1ormed in the edge 20 of the door. The section I4 ofi. the

'ment relative to the striker lug 46.

housing I3 is attached to the door by means of screws 84 and 85 while the section I5 is similarly attached by means of screws not shown.

Operating in the slot 24 and in the opening 34 in housing I3 is a lever 35. This lever is constructed from sheet metal having a back 36, sides 31 and 3B and flanges 39 issuing from the said sides 31 and 38 and forming a composite wall opposite the back 36. `The lever 35 is so constructed that handles 4I and 42 are formed on the same and at the ends thereof and by means of which the said lever may be manipulated. Handle 42 is situated exteriorly of the door and handle 4I is situated interiorly of the door. lever 35 is pivoted to the housing I3 by means of a pintle 43 which extends jointly through the walls 31 and 38 of said lever and through the ears 21 and the side walls 3| and 32 of the wall structure 28. This lever is so situated that the same clears the stop I2 and so that said lever may swing from theY position shown in Fig. 1 to that yshown in Fig. 3. I Within the interior'of the lever 35 is situated an arm 44. This arm'isfpivoted to said lever by means of apintle 45 whiche'xtends through-the walls 31 and' 38 of saidlever and 'said arm and which is located interiorly of the' door and outwardly of the housing I3.v Thel arm'44 lhas a striker lug 46 formed on the same which is vadapted to engagea striker plate 41 attached to the casing Il ofthe door. This striker plate is secured to the casing in the usualmanner and has an opening 48 inthe same and through which the lug 4B may extend. The casing I I is recessed as indicated at 49 to receivethelug 46. The edge of said` striker plate is turned back so as to form a cam adapted to engage a curved edge 52 on the striker lug 4 6 whereby 'the said striker lug may be' forced inwardly into the housing I3 when the 'said lug engages the striker plate.

Pivoted to the arrmy 44 is a latch lug 53. This latch lug has an ear 54 projecting outwardly therefrom which overlies a similar ear 55 on the arm 44 and immediately back of the striker lug 46.v A pintle 56 passes jointly through said ears and pivots the latch lug 53 for swinging move- Both the lugs 46 and 53 operate in a slot 51 formednin the back 3 6 of the lever` 35"and are adaptedto project outwardly through the slots 26 and 33 in housing I3. The latch lug 53 has a surface 6U which is adapted to engage the inner surface 59 of the wall i4. When thersaid surface is in engagement with the surface 59, the lug 53 is restrained from swinging movement relative to thehousing I3 kand lever 35. The surface 60 consists'of la flat portion 58 and a curved portion 6 3 which merges into the flat portion 58. The said latch lug also hasl a surface 6I which is adapted to engage the edge 62 ofthe striker' plate 41 when the door is closed. The portion 63 of surface 60 clears the structure of the striker plate 41 when the latch lug is being moved into and out of the opening 43 in the striker plate.

IThe lever 35 is urged to its position shown in Fig. 1 by means of a compression coil spring 64 which encircles the ears 54 and 55 of the lugs 46 and 53 and is seated against the arm 44 and the lug 53. The other end of this spring is seated against the back 29 of wall structure 28 and en- "circles aboss 65 formed on said back.

vlFor the purpose-of closing the slot 24 in the H wall I6 of lhousing I3, a cover plate l66 is ern- .'ployedwhich'overlies said slot. This cover plate isguided for movement by mean'sof a guide' 61 best shown in Fig. 5. Said guide is formed by striking up a portion of the wall I6 on each side of the slot 24. This construction forms two edges 68 and 69 along which the plate 66 rides. Said. guide is further formed to provide a strap 1I which overlies the cover plate 65 at its outer end and holds the same in position. The cover plate 6B has a slot 12 in its innermost end and through which the arm 44 projects; -The said cover plate is constructed with a hook 13 which hooks about the pintle 45 and causes the said cover plate to move with the lever 35 when the YThe i lever 35 is moved to the right as viewed in Figs. 4 and '1. When the lever 35 is moved toward the left, said hook engages a part movable with the lever 35 namely the finger 19 of locking member A15 which will be presently described in detail thus causing corresponding movement of the cover plate. The said cover plate thus forms a follower which follows with the said lever and closes the slot 24 as the lever moves toward its position shown in Fig. 1. v

For the purpose of locking the leverv 35 from movement, the arm 44 is constructed with a catch 14. This catch has an operating member 86 on the end ofthe same which engages the cover plate 56. The catch 14 is adapted to be engaged by means of a locking member 15'. This locking member has a spring 16. riveted to the ber 15 is urged in back of the catch 14, the lever 35 is restrained from movement and the door is locked.

The operation of the invention is as follows: When the parts arein normal position, Whether the door is open or closed, the lever 35 and the two lugs 46 and 53 are in the positions shown in Figs. l and 2. If the door be open andthe same is moved toward closing. position, the edge 5 2`of the striker lug 46 engages the cam 5I of striker plate 41 and forces the arm 44 inwardly.

This moves the latch lug 53 into the position shown in Fig. 4 without swinging of the lever 35, movement of the two lugs 46 and 53 being resisted by the spring 64. Continued movement of the door toward closing position will bring the lugs 46 and 53 opposite the opening 4S in striker' plate 41 and the spring 64 will cause the said lugs to enter the opening 48 and assume the positions shown in Fig. 2. It will be noted that the portion 58 of surface 60 on latch lug 53 lies opposite the surface 59 of wall I6 of housing I3 and that the surface 6I of said latch lug lies adjacent the edge (52` of the striker plate 41. Movement of the door outwardly is restrained by engagement of the surface 6I with the edge 62, This movement is resisted by the portion 56 of surface 60 engaging the surface 59. In this position, the latch lug 53 is held immovable and pressure on the same is ineffective to shift its position and ineffective to cause opening of the door. vWhen it becomes desirable to open` the door manually, lever 35 is swung by means of 'eitherz of the handles 4I or 42 toward theposition shown in Fig. 3. During such movement the pintle l5 approaches the plate 56 and operating -member 82 being in engagement therewithfand so'held'by spring 64 swings the arm d4 relative to lever 35. This moves the arm A inwardly into housing I3 and thelatch lug 53 which ispivoted thereto is withdrawnirom engagement with. the striker plate lll. As the latch lug 53 -movesthe iiat portion 58 and then the. curved portion` 63 follows along the surface 59 of the housing i3. Thelocation ofthe parts when the lugs lit and 53 are about to clear the striker plate l is'shown in Fig. '7. The relation of the parts when the said lugs are fully retracted is shownin Fig.' 3. Since the at portion 53 of surface St of latch lug 53 is relatively short, a small movement' of the. arm Iii! causes the curved portion E3 ofsurfacek 6i] of said latch lug to follow along the surface 59 of housing i3. This causes the surface El of said latch lug to rapidly recede from the edge 62 of striker plate lil'. Thus, the door li) commences to swing outwardly at the same time that the latch lug is being disengaged thereby causing the latch lug to roll onfthe edge Gi instead of slide along the same. The fact that the portion 6I of surface Si! of the lug 53 recedes from edge 62 of the Stroker plate permits of latching the door when the same is partly open as would be the case if ice or other foreign matter became disposed between the door and casing; In such position the parts would be disposed f as shown in Fig. 7 and the curved portion tt of surface Si) would restrain swinging of the lug 53 without movement of lever 35. The arcuate movement of the latch lug 553 caused by lswinging about the pintle 115' is compensated for by pivoting the same to the arm fifi. Thus the said latch lug can move' inwardly into the housing in a substantially parallel direction with reference to the surface 53 when the latch lug is being disengaged from the striker' plate li?. Upon restriker lug employed, the latch lug is easily retracted to permit of the same clearing the striker plate and entering into the opening in the striker plate. By the use of the pivoted arm connected to the lever, the door maybe moved into closing position without causing swinging of the lever and the handles connected tothe same. The opening formed in the housing `is maintained closed when the latch is in closing position so as to prevent entry of insects through the latch and into the interior of, the building with which the latch is being used'. .By means of the latching mechanism shown, the arm carrying the latch lug serves a dual purpose and is held from movement by means of a slide whereby positive locking of the parts is secured.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what claim as newand desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever, a striker plate opposite said housing having a striking surface and a latching surface, a latch lug having a body portion extending outwardlyL beyond said housing and an ear, said arm having a strikingv lug xed relative thereto and formed with a body portion adapted to normally project outwardly beyond said housing, an ear on said arm, pivot means for connecting the ear of said latch lug to the ear on said arm and a compressioncoil'spring encircling said ears at one end and seated against the body portion of said latch lug and said arm and seated at its other -end against `said housing, said spring serving to urge said lugs outwardly through the opening'in said wall-of the housing, said latch lug having a latching surface engageable with the latching surface of said striker plate and. a second surface formed vwith a flat portion and a curved portion merging` into one another, said housing having a surface adapted to beengaged by said second surface of the latch lug to restrain movement between the latching surfaces of the latch lug and striker plate, said striking lug having a surface engageable with the striking surface of said strikerV plate and leading said second surfaceof said latch lug and` causing inward movement of said latch lug upon closing of the door.

2. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever at a locality outwardly from said housing, a latch lug carried by said arm and normally projecting .through said housing, resilient means for urging said arm and latch lug outwardly, a strikerplate having a latching surface, said latch lug having a latching surface engaging the latching surface of said striker plate and restraining openingv of the door, said housing having a surface and said latch lug having a second surface engageable with the surface of said housing to restrain movement between said latch lug and striker plate at the latching surfaces thereof, a catch formed on said arm outwardly of said housing, guide means on said housing engaging said catch and causing swingingr of said arm relative to said lever upon swinging of said lever and retraction of said latch lug along the surface of said housing and a slide guided for movement along said lever and having a portion adapted to engage said catch to restrain movement between said arm and lever and to prevent swinging of said lever to lock said latch lug in extended position.

3. In a door latch, a housing having a wall formed with a slot, a lever pivoted to said housing and extending through and movable in vsaid slot, a follower connected to said lever 'and .closing said slot, means for guiding said follower for movement in the same direction as saidy lever, an arm, pivot means between said arm and lever, a latch lug carried by said arm andrnorrnally extending outwardly beyond said housing, said arm extending through said follower, an operating member on the projecting portion of said arm and engaging saidgfollower, said pivot means approaching said follower upon swingingof the lever and causing swinging movement of the arm by means of said operating member and movement of the latch lug into the housing and resilient means for urging the latch lug outwardly. `ll. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever, a striker plate opposite said housing and havingA a striking surface and a latching surface, a'latch lug pivoted tor said arm and normally projecting outwardly beyond said housing and in the` direction of said striker plate, said lug having .a surface adapted to engage Vthe latching surfacev of said' striker plate to restrain relative movement therebetween, said latch lug having a short fiat surface adapted to engage a corresponding surface on said housing to restrain relative movement between said latch lug and housing, said latch lug further having a curved surface merging linto said fiat surface and adapted to clear the surface on said housing after the flat surface has passed the same, the pivot for said latch lug being disposed intermediate the first named surface of the same and the flat surface and inwardly thereof, means acting between said lever and housing and adapted upon swinging movement of said lever to move said latch lug in the direction of the denoted surface on said housing to free the same from the housing and resilient means for urging said latch lug outwardly.

5. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever, a striker plate opposite said housing and having a striking surface and a latching surface, a latch lug pivoted to said arm and normally projecting outwardly beyond said housing, said latch lug being movable toward and from the striker plate, said latch lug having` a surface adapted to progressively engage said latching surface as the door closes and the latch lug moves toward the striker plate, said housing having a part opposite said surface of said latch, said latch lug further having a restraining surface adapted to follow along said part of said housing as the latch lug moves toward said striker plate and assisting in resisting movement of the latch lug in a direction to restrain opening movement of thedoor at various settings of said latch lug relative to said striker plate and resilient means for urging said latch lug outwardly and yieldingly holding said latch lug in engagement with the striker plate.

6. In a door latch, a striker plate carried by the door frame having a striking surface and a latching surface, a housing carried by the door, a lever pivoted to said housing for swinging movement in a horizontal plane and extending outwardly through said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever outwardly of said housing for swinging movement relative to said lever and housing in a horizontal plane, said housing having an opening facing the striker plate and being formed adjacent said opening with an abutment surface parallel with and spaced from said latching surface of the striker plate when the door is in closed position, a latch lug pivoted to said arm at a locality inwardly from said opening in the housing and within the housing and intermediate the marginal portions of said housing adjacent said opening, said latch lug being movable in the opening in the housing and toward the striker plate to a position between the latching surface of the striker plate and the abutment surface of the housing when the door is closed, said latch lug having a restraining surface disposed adjacent to and extending generally in the same direction as said abutment surface on the housing and coacting therewith to restrain movement of the latch lug away from the striker plate, said latch lug having a curved surface merging into said restraining surface, a striker lug xed on said arm and movable in the opening: in the housing and toward the striker plate, said lug engaging the striking surface of the striker plate in advance of the latch lug on closing of the door and swinging said arm relative to the lever and retracting the latch lug away from the striker plate and withdrawing the restraining surface away from the abutment surface to accommodate swinging of the latch lug Cil with the curved surface thereof following the abutment surface, said striker lug in its movement clearing the marginal portions of said housing adjacent the opening therein and resilient means for urging said lugs outwardly through the opening in said housing.

7. In a door latch, a housing having a wall formed with a slot, a lever pivoted to said housing and extending through and movable in said slot, a follower connected to said lever and closing said slot, guide means for guiding said follower for movement in the same direction as said lever, an arm, pivot means between said arm and lever and disposed outwardly of said follower, said pivot me'ans approaching said follower upon swinging of the lever in one direction, a latch lug carried by said arm and normally extending outwardly beyond said housing, said arm extending through said follower, an operating member on the projecting portion of said arm and engaging said follower and causing swinging movement of said arm upon swinging movement of said lever, said member being situated closer to the pivot for the arm than said latch lug and causing rapid movement of said latch lug into said housing and resilient means for moving said latch lug outwardly.

8. In a door latch, a housing having a wall, a lever pivoted to said housing and extending through said wall, an arm carried by said lever, pivot means between said lever and arm and disposed exteriorly of said housing, said pivot means approaching said wall of the housing upon swinging of said lever in one direction, a latch lug pivoted to said arm at a locality within said housing and adapted to normally extend outwardly beyond said housing, an operating member formed on said arm and extending outwardly from said arm, means for guiding said operating member for sliding movement in the direction of extent of said wall, said operating member causing movement of the latch lug into the housing and resilient means for moving the latch lug outwardly.

9. In a door latch, a housing, a lever, pivot means between said lever and housing and having a vertical axis, an arm, pivot means between said lever and arm and having a vertical axis, said last named pivot means being disposed in spaced relation with reference to said first named pivot means, a striker plate opposite said housing and having a striking surface and a vertical latching surface in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door, a latch lug normally projecting outwardly beyond said housing and in the direction of said striker plate, said latch lug having a latching surface engaging the latching surface of said striker plate and substantially coplanar therewith to restrain relative movement therebetween, pivot means between said latch lug and said arm and having a vertical axis, said last named pivot means lying between said rst and second pivot means, said latch lug having a surface formed with a flat portion spaced from and substantially parallel to the latching surface of said latch lug, said housing having a surface engageable by said second surface of said latch lug and restraining relative movement between the latching surface of said latch lug and the latching surface of the striker plate to resist opening of the door, a striker lug fixed on said arm and substantially overlying said latch lug, said striker lug having a surface engageable with the striking surface of the striker plate and serving to swing said arm inwardly into said housing 9 upon engagement with said striker plate to withdraw said latching lug from engagement with the latching surface of said striker plate, the second named surface of said latch lug having an arcuate portion joining the fiat portion and clearing said surface of the housing to accommodate rocking movement of the latch lug on the striker plate and pivotal movement about the pivot between said latch lug and arm, said surface of the striker lug leading the curved portion of the second surface of the latch lug during closing movement ofthe door to reduce friction between the latch lugvand housing, and resilient means reacting against a part fixed relative to said housing anda part movable with said arm and urging said'latch lug and striker lug toward said striker plate.

10. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing and having a portion extending through said housing, said housing having a part adjacent the portion of said lever extending through the housing, an arm pivoted to said leverl and extending through said housing and into said housing in proximity to said part, a latch lug pivoted to said arm within said housing and normally projecting through said housing, and an operating member on the outer portion of said arm disposed laterally from the pivot of said arrn and adapted to engage said part and operating through engagement therewith as a cam upon swinging of said lever to swing said arm and retract the latch lug.

11. In a door latch, a housing, a lever pivoted to said housing, an arm pivoted to said lever, a striker plate opposite said housing and having a striking surface and a latching surface, a latch lug pivoted to said arm and normally projecting outwardly beyond said housing and in the direction of said striker plate, said lug having a latching surface adapted to engage the latching surface of said striker plate to restrain relative movement therebetween, said latch lug having a fiat surface adapted to engage a corresponding surface on said housing to restrain relative movement .between said latch lug and housing, said latch lug further having a curved surface merging into said flat surface and adapted to clear the surface on said housing after the flat surface has passed the same, the pivot for said latch lug CHESTER O. GOSERUD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i'lle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 797,425 Haag Aug. l5, 1905 1,094,234 Miller Apr. 21, 1914 2,311,688 Olson Feb. 23,1943 2,317,300 Quinn Apr. 20, 1943 2,352,465 Anderson et al June 27, 1944

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