Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved latch fastener particularly suitable to be used in doors and windows of the sliding type.
Description of the Prior Art
Various types of latches for sliding doors and windows are known, but all of the known latches present some problems and inconveniences. For example, certain latches lack the requisite mechanical strength required and others are difficult or unusually stiff in their operation, due or caused by strains and/or deformations produced by the normal wear and tear of daily use. In many of the latches currently available, it is necessary to trasmit forces on the locking portion from a first direction to a second direction and movable components are frictionally engaged and moved relative to fixed components. Thus, normal wear and tear on the device will often cause the movements of the components to increasingly deteriorate until it becomes necessary to replace the device. I have invented a latch device which is safe, and which has substantially improved strength characteristics, while being capable of extremely smooth and reliable operation even when subjected to strong shocks or abuse. Thus, my invention avoids the problems and disadvantages of the prior art latches and makes it possible for sliding windows and doors to operate with simplicity and ease previously unknown.
Summary of the Invention
Broadly stated, the invention relates to a latch fastener which comprises a base member and a movable member having latching means, rolling means positioned and retained between the members to facilitate movement of the movable member and latching means between at least two positions corresponding to locked and unlocked positions of the latching means. In preferred embodiments, the latch fastener is constructed of two members, one base member and a second member movable relative to the base member, the second member having a latching hook adapted to cooperate with a plate member having an opening configured to receive the latching hook to lock the door or window, as the case may be.
The latching hook may extend in any number of directions depending upon the particular installation contemplated. For example, the base member may be secured by suitable fasteners to either a window or a door while a frame portion is dimensioned and configured to operate as the strike plate. Alternatively, the base member may be secured by suitable fasteners to a frame member of the window or door opening and a portion of the actual construction element (i.e., window, door, etc.) may be configured and dimensioned to function as the cooperating strike plate. In addition, multiple windows or multiple doors may be locked to each other with a portion of one window functioning, for example, as a strike plate and the other window having the latch fastener attached thereto.
In one preferred embodiment, the latch fastener includes two plate members of stainless steel, one fixed, the other movable, and both plate members have formed channels which define races in which generally spherical bearing balls are positioned. Both plate members are retained in face-to-face relation by suitable fasteners such as rivets having enlarged heads, positioned within slots in a manner to accommodate movements of the movable member. The movable member is preferably biased by a resilient coil spring to maintain the latching means--i.e., latching hook--in a position corresponding to the locked position of the door or window.
While at least two rivets are preferred to retain the plate members in a stable face-to-face relation and to prevent relative rotation which may be caused by slamming the door or window, in one embodiment, bearing races are formed along edge portions of the plate members and four bearing balls are equally spaced to provide relative stability for the movable member and the base member, thus obviating the need for two rivets. In such case one rivet is sufficient to retain the members in face-to-face relation and the bearing balls prevent relative shifting thereof.
In still another embodiment, the movable member has an elongated generally cylindrical configuration and the base member is somewhat cylindrical in part and defines a central opening in which the movable member is positioned for movements in a direction parallel to the central axes of the members. In this embodiment each member defines channels opposed from each other to function as races in which roller means such as generally spherical bearing balls are positioned. The bearing balls permit smooth sliding movement of the movable member and they retain the members in substantially fixed aligned relation such that their axes are coincident.
Although the bearing ball races are defined by channels of several cross sectional configurations, any suitable channel configuration is contemplated (i.e., arcuate, spherical, square, "V"-shaped, etc.) provided that the bearing balls may function to provide smooth sliding movements of the movable member.
Although the latch fastener of the invention may be constructed of stainless steel, brass, bronze, antimony it may also be constructed of a suitable synthetic plastic material such as ABS, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, etc.
It will be readily appreciated from the description which follows that the present invention uniquely transfers forces normally subjected to the latching hook from their initial direction to a direction approximately perpendicular to their first direction. This transfer is accomplished with minimum friction and in a continuous smooth manner. Thus locking of the window or door is accomplished with less force and the normal wear and tear on the latching hook and strike plate is minimized. In addition, actual wear and tear on the entire device is eliminated.
By providing a replaceable coil spring, the movable member and attached latching hook are biased toward the "locked door or window" position thus maintaining the door or window in the locked position.
Although it is preferably contemplated to utilize my latch fastener with sliding doors or windows, it is foreseen within the scope of my invention to utilize it with any components which must be secured in one of several positions at different times. Thus, by "construction element" I contemplate such components as doors, windows, trunk lids or any other components which must be retained in one of several positions at different times.
Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved latch fastener of the invention, in assembled condition;
FIG. 2 is an upper plan view of the latch fastener of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an illustration of the latch of the invention mounted on a window sill and ready to operate in cooperation with a strike plate;
FIG. 6 is an upper plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an upper plan view of a second alternate embodiment of the invention in position in a sliding door or window;
FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9; and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 9.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a latch fastener according to the invention. The latch fastener includes a base plate 1 and a movable plate 2 which is provided with a "hook" or latch 3 and an "arm" or actuating wing 4. The "hook" and "arm" are fixed to the movable plate 2 by conventional means such as welding or riveting.
Both the base plate 1 and the movable plate 2 are provided with formed channels or guides 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively (FIGS. 3 and 4), the channels being parallel to each other and to the major axis of each plate.
Between each channel 5, 6 of the base plate 1 and the respective channels 7, 8 of the movable plate 2 "races" 9 and 10 are defined (FIGS. 1 and 4) wherein at least two spherical rollers 11 and 12 (or roller balls) are located in each of said "races." The rollers 11 and 12 determine a spaced relationship between the base plate 1 and the movable plate 2. Preferably, the channels 5, 6, 7, and 8 are provided with small outwardly extending projections "r" (FIG. 4) for limiting the longitudinal displacement of the spherical rollers. The movable plate 2 is provided with two substantially elongated slots 13, 14 located near the respective ends of the plate and along the major axis of the plate 2.
Holding pins or rivets 15 (FIG. 1) provided with heads having a diameter larger than the width of the slots 13, 14 pass through the slots and are affixed to the base plate 1 of the latch, as shown in FIG. 4.
Preferably, the slot 14 that is adjacent to the open end or "nose" of the hook 3 is substantially longer than the slot 13 located in the other end of the movable plate 2. An elastic means 17 such as an helicoidal spring is positioned within the longer slot 14 with one end of the spring abutting against a suitable location in the movable plate 2 and the other end abutting against the corresponding pin or rivet 15 in the slot 14, or against a suitable location in base plate 1. Thus the movable plate 2 is normally biased to the "locked window" position shown in FIG. 1, in relation to the base plate 1, by the action of the force exerted by said spring 17. The spring 17 is conveniently and simply replaceable after extensive wear from continued use.
Conveniently, the outer ends of the base plate 1 are flattened and can be provided with one or more elongated slots 18, 19 to facilitate the installation of the latch fastener in a window sill or door frame or the like by means of suitable fasteners such as self-tapering screws or the like, and the corresponding adjustment or setting relative to the recess in the window frame wherein the "hook" shall engage when the window is in the closed position.
The operation of the latch fastener will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The base plate 1 of the latch is installed in the window sill "M" in such a position that the hook 3 is positioned facing the opening or recess provided in the sliding window frame "V" which functions as a striker plate.
When the sliding window is moved in the direction of the arrow "F.sub.v " the impact of the lower edge of the recess in the window frame upon the curved portion of the hook 3 forces the movable plate 2 against the spherical rollers 11, 12 and produces the displacement of the movable plate 2 in the direction shown by the arrow "F.sub.p ", the plate smoothly slides on the spherical rollers and compresses the helical spring 17. Thus engagement forces and translated to forces at a direction 90 degrees from the shock forces.
When the hook 3 has been totally displaced in the direction of the arrow "F.sub.p " and the sliding window "V" abuts the window sill "M"--after the hook 3 has penetrated in the recess provided in the window frame--the movable plate 2 biased by the spring 17, is forced back to its normal position, thus producing the latching of the sliding window through the nose of the hook 3.
The operating arm 4 preferably projecting outwardly from the window sill, provides the means to displace the movable plate 2 in the direction of the arrow "F.sub.p " while simultaneously the window frame is moved in a direction opposed to the arrow "F.sub.v " to the opened position.
The embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 and FIGS. 9-12 are similar in many respects to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. Accordingly, in the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, elements corresponding to like elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 bear like numbers, but will have "100" added. In a similar manner, elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 will bear the same number as like elements in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 but will have "200" added to them. Accordingly, the element of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 corresponding to element 5 of the first embodiment will be identified by numeral "105", while the like element of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 will be identified by numeral "205".
Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the invention. The latch fastener of these FIGS. includes a base plate 101 and a movable plate 102 provided with a "hook" or latch 103 and an arm or actuating wing 104. The base plate 101 and the movable plate 102 are maintained in the same spaced apart relation as the embodiment of FIG. 1 and operate in a similar manner to that embodiment. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the edge portions of both plates are formed into channels 105-107, respectively, so as to define the "races" for spherical roller balls 111 and 112. Only roller balls 112 are shown in FIG. 7; however, roller balls 111 are directly behind, and identical to, roller balls 112 in FIG. 7. Thus, with two spherical rollers 111 positioned in spaced relation along one side of the latch fastener and two spherical roller balls 112 similarly positioned opposite the first pair of rollers, the base plate 101 and movable plate 102 are restrained from lateral or rotational movements with respect to each other and a single rivet 115 thus retains the plates in assembled relation. Two pairs of spherical roller balls 130 and 131 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 are also provided.
In operation, the latch fastener of FIG. 6 is identical to the latch fastener of FIG. 1 with latch 3 being biased in the "locked window" position by helical spring 117. However, it will be readily appreciated that when the latch fastener of FIG. 6 is subjected to the normal shocks of daily use, the base plate 101 and the movable plate 102 do not shift laterally, and do not rotate with respect to each other. Slots 118 and 119 are provided to secure the latch fastener to a window sill or door frame or the like as illustrated in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, there is illustrated still another preferred embodiment of the invention. The latch fastener of these Figs. includes a base member 201 configured somewhat cylindrically in part, and a movable member 202 provided with a "hook" or latch 203. In this embodiment an extension of the movable member 202 functions as an arm or actuating wing 204, while movable member 202 is biased toward the "locked window" position by spring 217 in the same manner as described with respect to the previous embodiments.
The base member 201 and the movable member 202 are maintained in spaced radial relation to accommodate spherical roller balls 211 and 212 positioned in races defined respectively by "V" shaped notch channels 205 and 206 formed in base member 201, and opposed channels 207 and 208 respectively formed in movable member 202. Retention of spherical roller balls 211 and 212 is provided by appropriately positioned projections such as projections "r" illustrated in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, or alternately other suitable means may be provided to retain the rollers 211 and 212 with the races defined by notch channels 205 and 206 and opposed channels 207 and 208.
Notwithstanding the distinctions between the configurations of the components of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 6 and the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12, the operation of the latter embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiments. Thus movable member 201 is biased in the "locked window" position by helical coil spring 217 and slidably moves relative to the base member 201 in a smooth, continuous and reliable manner. The equally spaced positions of rollers 211 and 212 as shown, provide relative stability of movable member 202 with respect to base member 201, thus eliminating any possibility of lateral or rotational shifting of the movable member. In addition, suitable openings or slots are provided for securing the base member 201 to the window panel, window sill, door, door frame, or the like.
The embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 provides certain additional advantages over the embodiments of FIG. 1-8 in that the base member is shaped in part somewhat similarly to a cylindrical member as shown best in FIG. 12. This configuration renders it possible to grip the base member 201 by placing the fingers in respective radiused cutouts 220. Thus, when the latch fastener is arranged to be secured to the actual window panel or door, the windows or door--as the case may be--may be closed by gripping the base member. In addition, it will be readily appreciated that movable member 202 may be manually moved to the "unlocked" position by depressing actuating wing 204 with the thumb while gripping the base member 201.
In addition, it will be readily appreciated that the embodiments of my invention can be readily mass produced inexpensively of any suitable materials including metals such as stainless steel, zamac, aluminum, bronze, brass, antimony or plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrilonitrile butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), nylon, polypropylene or the like. In either case, the components may be formed by casting, stamping, etc., or injection molding. Because of the relatively compact constructional arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 it will be appreciated that this embodiment may be more readily constructed of a synthetic plastic material without compromising the strength of the fastener. This aspect will render it possible to produce this embodiment in mass quantity and at reduced cost.
It is to be understood that many changes and modifications in the form, location and arrangement of the parts conforming the latch of the invention are possible and evident to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.