Loop striker

• US 6,000,737 A
• Filed: 09/17/1997
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Inventors: Yiu, Arnold
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Assistant Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US08/932,423
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 292/281, 292/340, 292/341.13, 292/341.14, 292/246, 292/DIG. 42, 292/DIG. 43, 292/DIG. 71, 292/285, 292/DIG. 53, 24/265 AL, 24/712.8, 403/188-191
• US Class Current: 292/340
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/1614 of hard materials, to prevent drilling E05B67/04, E05B67/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/16 Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/045 for bifurcated bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/43 Rear deck lid latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/694 Covers

Abstract

A striker assembly has a keeper and a mounting plate. The keeper has a generally U-shape. The mounting plate has a groove and at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for mounting the striker assembly to a mounting surface. The groove nestingly receives end portions of the keeper. The end portions and groove are configured to interlock together to resist relative lateral movement between the keeper and the mounting plate. The striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.

Claims

1. A striker assembly for cooperation with a latch, said striker assembly comprising a mounting plate and keeper;

said mounting plate having grooved means for fixedly mounting said keeper to said mounting plate in a manner that prevents relative movement between said keeper and said mounting plate;

said keeper comprising a rod having mounting portions nestingly received within said grooved means when mounted,

said rod further including latch engaging portions integrally connected with said mounting portions and including a striker portion for engaging the latch,

said mounting portions disposed on one side of said mounting plate and fixed to said mounting plate without extending through said mounting plate,

said rod having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said longitudinal axis, at least along said mounting portions of said rod, is disposed in generally parallel relation to said mounting plate.

2. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting portions are welded to said mounting plate to fix said keeper to said mounting plate when said mounting portions are nested in said groove.

3. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mounting portions comprise two end portions each having an L-shape.

4. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the base of each end portion are directed in opposite directions.

5. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the base of each end portion are directed towards each other.

6. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the base of each end portion are directed away from each other.

7. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated.

8. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.

9. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the base of each end portion are directed in the same direction.

10. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated.

11. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.

12. A striker assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis along said latch engaging portions is disposed in generally parallel relation to said mounting plate.

13. A striker assembly according to claim 1, wherein portions of said longitudinal axis along said latch engaging portion are disposed in generally perpendicular relation to said mounting plate, and wherein portions of said longitudinal axis along said striker portion are disposed in generally parallel relation to said mounting plate.

14. A striker assembly for cooperation with a latch, said striker assembly comprising a mounting plate and keeper;

said mounting plate having at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for mounting the striker assembly to a mounting surface and grooved means for fixedly mounting said keeper to said mounting plate in a manner that prevents relative movement between said keeper and said mounting plate,

said grooved means including two grooves;

said keeper comprising a rod having mounting portions nestingly received within said grooved means when mounted,

said rod further including latch engaging portions integrally connected with said mounting portions and including a striker portion for engaging the latch,

said mounting portions disposed on one side of said mounting plate and fixed to said mounting plate without extending through said mounting plate,

said rod having a longitudinal axis, and wherein said longitudinal axis, at least along said mounting portions of said rod is disposed in generally parallel relation to said mounting plate.

15. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said mounting portions are welded to said mounting plate to fix said keeper to said mounting plate when said mounting portions are nested in said grooves.

16. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said mounting portions comprise two end portions each having an L-shape.

17. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the bases of each end portion are directed in opposite directions.

18. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the bases of each end portion are directed towards each other.

19. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the bases of each end portion are directed away from each other.

20. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated.

21. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.

22. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said L-shape has a base and a stem and the bases of each end portion are directed in the same direction.

23. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated.

24. A striker assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.