US2793894A - Door latch - Google Patents

Description

E. S. MODES May 28, 1957 DOOR LATCH Filed Dec. 31, 1954 INVENTORI. Edward 5. Modes J I g n d SW65 PW (Q DOOR LATCH Edward S. Modes, Glendale, Calif.

Application December 31, 1954, Serial No. 479,124

2 Claims. ci. 292- 128) This invention relates to a door latch and has for its primary object to secure a screen door in place in a door opening.

Another object is to cause the latch to positively engage a keeper and means to enable the latch to be moved out of retaining engagement from either side of the door.

The above and other objects may be attained by employing this invention which embodies among its features a keeper plate mounted to move in a horizontal path, said keeper plate having an elongated vertical slot extending therethrough, a latch mounted to move in a vertical path which intersects the horizontal path, said latch being adapted to extend through the slot and to engage the keeper plate, a cam carried by the latch and extending outwardly therefrom into the horizontal path for engaging the keeper plate adjacent the lower end of the slot and lifting the latch as the keeper plate approaches the latch, a lug carried by the latch and extending laterally outwardly therefrom to define a handle for moving the latch upwardly in the slot and out of latching engagement with the keeper plate, a lever mounted adjacent the keeper plate to rock in a vertical arcuate path which when the latch engages the keeper intersects the path of movement of the latch, and said lever when the keeper is engaged by the latch extending beneath the cam for lifting said latch and holding it elevated during its withdrawal through the slot.

Other features include spring means mounted adjacent the latch, and 2. lug carried by and extending outwardly from the latch for engagement by the keeper plate to yieldingly advance the latch into latching engagement with the keeper plate.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a door frame showing this improved latch mounted thereon and engaging a keeper carried by a door, the latter being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of a door showing it in closed and latched position in a door opening;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side view of the latch;

Figure 7 is a side view of a cover plate in conjunction with the door; and

Figure 8 is a side view of the keeper plate.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a door 10 is mounted on a door frame 12 to move in a horizontal path into and out of closing relation with a doorway 14.

Pivotally mounted as by a screw 16 to the door frame 12 and extending into the horizontal path of movement of the door 10 is a latch designated generally 18. The latch 18 comprises an elongated body 20 having an opening 22 extending therethrough adjacent one end thereof for the reception of the pivot screw 16, and extending through the body 20 intermediate the ends thereof is an elongated transversely extending slot 24 for the reception of a stop screw 26 which enters the door frame 12 in spaced relation to the screw 16, as will be readily understood upon reference to the drawings. Carried by and extending outwardly from the body 20 intermediate the ends thereof is a finger 28 defining a thumb piece by means of which the latch may be lifted about the axis of the screw 16, as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure l. Alug 30 is carried by and extends laterally outwardly from the body 20 beneath the finger 28 for engagement by the spring 32, one end of which encircles the screw 16, while the opposite end extends outwardly therefrom beneath the screw 26 and engages the lug 30 to yieldingly urge the latch downwardly into the full line position illustrated in Figure 1. A suitable retaining tongue 34 is carried by the spring 32 adjacent the end thereof remote from that which is connected to the screw 16 and engages the lug 30 to prevent disengagement of the spring 32 with the lug 30. Carried by the body 20 and extending longitudinally therefrom adjacent the end thereof remote from the opening 22 is a neck 36 which defines with the body 20 a notch 38, the wall of which remote from the body 20 extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body 20 and forms a stop for engagement with a keeper plate, to be more fully hereinafter described. The lower edge of the stop curves upwardly and inwardly as it recedes from the body 20 to define a cam 40, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

As illustrated in the drawings, the door 10 is provided with an opening 42 which, as illustrated, is adapted to receive the end of the latch 18 remote from the pivot screw 16, and fixed to the door 10 in covering relation with one end of the opening 42 is a plate 44 defining a keeper for engaging the latch 18 and holding the door in closed relation to the doorway 14. The plate 44 is provided with an elongated vertically extending slot 46 through which the latch 18 projects when the door is in closed position and extending through the plate 44 are internally screw threaded openings 48 for the reception of retaining screws 50 by means of which the plate 44 is secured against the side of the door adjacent the door frame. A cover plate 52 is provided adjacent opposite ends with openings 54 which are adapted to align with the internally screw threaded openings 48 in the plate 44 to receive the screws 50, and extending through the cover plate 52 intermediate the ends thereof is a horizontally extending slot 56 for the reception of the tongue 58 of a lever 60 which is normally tilted so that its inner end lies adjacent the lower side of the opening 42 and when the door is in closed position beneath the cam 40 of the latch 18.

In use, it will be evident that with the keeper plate 44 mounted on the door, as illustrated in the drawings, and the cover plate mounted on the opposite side of the door, as the door moves to closed position, the latch 18, projecting into the path of movement of the keeper 44, will be engaged by the bottom wall of the slot 46 and lifted by the cam 40 so that the wall 38 of the notch will engage behind the keeper to hold the door 10 in closing relation to the door opening. When it is desired to open the door from the side adjacent the door frame, the tongue 28 is engaged and the latch 18 lifted against the effort of the spring 32 to disengage the wall 38 from the lower portion of the keeper 44 so that the door may be opened by moving it away from the door frame 12 and thus extracting the latch through the slot 46 from the opening 42. In opening the door from the opposite side, downward pressure is exerted upon the thumb piece 58 to cause the lever 60 to rock in the slot 56 and engage the cam 40 to lift the latch into the released position,

s su geste by the dot ed li le in Fi ure 2- 9b i91 l as the door moves to closed position, the plate 44 will move in a horizontal path to intersect the path of movement of th la ch 18 and when he e rn 9 is en ged b the, bottom wall of the slot 46, the latch 18 will rnove in its vertical ,arcuate path, as suggested by the broken i e i Figu e 1, r ubsequentl mo ds uwa d y under the influen .o t e w n q hat th N -3117 5 2 the notG elat h b d :9 w ll en a e hind the P ate 44 to sepurethe door in closed position. 7

Wh le in t c ego n t re has been Shown and scribed th p f rred embc men 0 this n en on i i to be und rstood. hat mine hae i tl e d ai nr i n, iua eu and. r em n Par may b es r ed t wit out departin twi th pi and scope Of he inventi n as c a med What is a me e 1; In a latch assembly, a support, an elongated latch ha n a s e d nd as c ud d mea s pivoting the latch to the support at said first end, said latch being formed With a slot extending therefa mss at a point between said means and the second end of the latch, a stop secured to said support and extending through said slot, said lateh having upper and lower edges, a lateral lug on said lower edge between said stop and the second end of the latch, an elongated spring having a first end secured to said means and a second free end, said spring having an intermediate portion engaged beneath said stop with the free end of the spring tensioned upon and bearing upon said lug, said lower edge of the latch having a notch between said lug and the second end of the latch defining a head having a stop edge facing said lug, said head being arranged to engage through an opening in a keeper plate 4 ith sa d star e515? e aasssl ith a s de 9 he keeper plate.

2. In a latch assembly, a support, an elongated latch having a first end and a second end, means pivoting the latch to the support at said first end, said latch being formed with a slot extending thereacross at a point between said means and the second end of the latch, a stop secured to said support and extending through said slot,

said latch having upper and lower edges, a lateral lug on said lower edge between said stop and the second end of the latch, an'elongated spring having a first end Secured W a d m and a sssqnd vt e e said i e having an intermediate portion engaged beneath said stop with the free end of the spring tensioned upon and bearing upon said lug, said lower edge of the latch having a notch between said lug and the second end of the latch defining a head having a stop edge facing said lug, said head being arranged t9 engage through an opening in a pe Pla th s id t9 ed e en a ed wit a side the keeper plate, the part of the lower edge of the latch. on a d ea sigs a ve t define a cam o latch piv e a emen w th n d 9 keeper Pl e rng.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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