PUSH BUTTON LATCH MECHANISM

• US 3,737,184 A
• Filed: 06/16/1971
• Issued: 06/05/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dorian J. Swartz
• Original Assignee: Dorian J. Swartz
• Inventors: Swartz, Dorian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Champion, Marvin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Staab, Lawrence J.
• Application Number:
  US05/153,673
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 292/37,41,140,165,169,170,174,336.3,DIG.60 70/461
• US Class Current: 292/170
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0037 Spring-operated
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/14 the handle or member moving essentially towards or away from the plane of the wing or frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/72 Starters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0976 Sliding cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1016 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/691 Take-up

Abstract

A latch mechanism of the push button type in which a separate associated casing contains a reciprocably mounted bolt normally spring urged to an extended latching position, and to a nonlatching position by a pressure plate having its opposite ends engaged with separate cam ramps spaced apart axially of the bolt, the casing having longitudinally extending slotted side flanges permitting adjustable positioning of the casing on one surface of a door. An associated push button assembly is mounted on the opposite surface of the door and includes a mounting bracket either in the form of an escutcheon plate or alternatively a pull knob, a push button being centrally positioned in either case and guided together with a connected push rod having an end operatively bearing against the pressure plate. When a pull knob is used, the bolt is preferably operably associated with a conventional keeper, while in those arrangements where a push button only is utilized, the keeper is provided with a spring urged pusher which engages with the back surface of the closed door, whereby to automatically urge the door to a slightly ajar position, when the bolt is released.

Claims

1. A latching mechanism, comprising:

a. a hollow casing, b. a latch bolt reciprocably mounted in said casing for movement to an extended latching position and a retracted nonlatching position with respect to an associated keeper;

c. means normally urging said bolt towards the latching position;

d. laterally extending manually operable actuating means including a reciprocable member; and

e. camming means interposed between said bolt and said member operable to move the bolt towards the nonlatching position against the action of said urging means, when said member is depressed, said camming means including two inclined ramp surfaces spaced apart longitudinally of said bolt, and a pressure applying member engaged by said reciprocable member, said pressure applying member having spaced parts positioned on opposite sides of said reciprocable member respectively bearing against said ramp surfaces.

2. A latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said pressure applying member comprises an elongate pressure plate extending at right angles to and being engaged by the inner end of said reciprocable member, said spaced parts comprising end flanges formed at the opposite ends of said pressure plate.

3. A latching mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the casing has a back wall with an elongate slot opening into the casing interior, and in which said end flanges are in guiding relation during movements of the pressure plate towards and away from said bolt.

4. A latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said end flanges further operate to restrain said pressure plate against relative axial movement in said casing.

5. A latching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said pressure plate and said bolt have overlapping side portions.

6. A latching mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said overlapping side portions include a side flange on said pressure plate and a side wall of said bolt.

7. A latching mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said casing is provided with side flanges respectively having a slot extending longitudinally of the casing, said slots each being adapted to receive a mounting screw, whereby the mounted portion of the casing on a door surface is longitudinally adjustable, along with the relative position of the inner end of said reciprocable member on said pressure plate.

8. A latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocable member is operatively connected with a push button.

9. A latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the casing, latch bolt and camming means comprise an assembly adapted to be mounted on one face of a closure member, and the actuating means comprises a separate assembly adapted to be mounted on an opposite face of the closure member, and including means interconnecting said assemblies having parts relatively adjustable to vary the mounted position of the first mentioned assembly.

10. A latching mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said casing has slotted side flanges, and the actuating means assembly includes a mounting bracket having a pair of spaced internally threaded leg portions for receiving threaded screws respectively positioned in the slots of said side flanges.

11. A latching mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said mounting bracket includes a body formed as an escutcheon plate having a recess therein, and a push button operably mounted in said recess, said push button being connected to said reciprocable member.

12. A latching mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said mounting bracket includes a body member, a pull knob connected with said body member and having a recess therein, and a push button operably mounted in said recess, said push button being connected to said reciprocable member.

13. A latching mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the associated keeper includes a spring urged member operable to automatically move the closure member to an initial open position, when the push button is depressed to release said latch bolt.

14. As an article of manufacture, a latch bolt assembly, comprising:

a. an elongate hollow casing having a back wall laterally extended to provide mounting flanges, said flanges respectively having a longitudinally extending slot;

b. an elongate latch bolt reciprocably mounted in said casing with an end normally projecting through an end opening in said casing to a latching position;

c. spring means normally urging the bolt towards said latching position;

d. an elongate pressure plate positioned in an elongate slot opening in the back wall of said casing, said plate being supported for lateral movements towards and away from said latch bolt; and

e. camming means interposed between said pressure plate and said bolt operative to move said bolt from said latching position against the action of said spring to a retracted nonlatching position, when said pressure plate is moved in a direction towards said latch bolt.

15. A latching mechanism according to claim 1, including a latch operating push button assembly, comprising:

a body structure having a central recess;

a pair of legs projecting from one side of said body structure in spaced apart parallel relation, said legs being tubular and having internal threads for engaging threads of a mounting screw; and

wherein said reciprocable member includes a push button positioned in said recess.

16. A latching mechanism according to claim 15, wherein said body structure comprises an escutcheon plate.

17. A latching mechanism according to claim 15, wherein said body structure comprises a pull knob.