Bullet Catch

Abstract

A one-piece integrally formed bullet catch preferably formed of nylon comprising an open ended cylindrical casing having an inwardly extending flange at one end and an outwardly extending flange at the other end. Helical springs are integrally formed with the inwardly extending flange and with a hemispherical head which extends partially through the opposite end and is resiliently held with the integral springs under compression by a swaged tapered retainer member which has a circular line of contact with the hemispherical head and which is resiliently engaged with the hemispherical head to hold the hemispherical head against accidental movement.

Description

This invention relates to a latching device, and more particularly to a novel one-piece bullet catch.

Various types of latching devices including bullet catches have been devised. These devices are usually formed of metal and are made of numerous pieces having separate springs, ball detents, casings, end walls, and the like. The separate manufacture of each of these elements and their assembly has proven costly. Further, the use of metal devices often results in the wearing of the wood or metal cabinets and the decorative finishes thereof.

In carrying out the object of the present invention which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art metal bullet catches and like latching devices, an integral one-piece bullet catch molded of nylon or other suitable synthetic plastic material is accomplished, it being recognized that the bullet catch can be colored all the way through so as to match the decorative finish of the cabinet or like device in which the bullet catch is employed, and which can be made more inexpensively while being adapted to withstand accidental disengagement due to vibrations and the like, because of a novel arrangement of a swaged tapered retainer member resiliently frictionally clampingly holding the hemispherical spring-pressed head.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a bullet catch that may be molded of nylon or like material, which does not require any assembly steps and only a single swaging operation to finish the product, which is effective in use, and highly attractive in appearance.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the present invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this bullet catch, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of the bullet catch comprising the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through a door and associated member illustrating the manner in which the bullet catch functions; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the bullet catch in a closed position.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a closure such as the door of a kitchen cabinet 12 or the like with which the bullet catch generally designated by reference numeral 14 and comprising the present invention is adapted to be utilized.

The cabinet 12 has a latch member 16 disposed in a suitable recess 18 therein, the latch 16 being provided with a concave depression 20. The latch member 16 may be molded from suitable material such as nylon or the like and may be secured to the kitchen cabinet 12 by means of any suitable fastening device or by bonding.

The closure 10 is provided with recess 22 therein which has an enlarged portion 24 immediately adjacent the edge 26 of the door 10 forming a shoulder 28. The bullet catch 14 is adapted to be disposed in the recess 22 and secured therein by bonding, force fitting, or by fastening, and includes a cylindrical casing 30 having a flange 32 at its inner end with which a plurality of helical springs 34 are integrally formed. Also integral with the springs 34 is a hemispherically shaped catch head 36 which extends outwardly of the casing 30. The casing 30 is open at both ends and a peripheral flange 38 extends about the forward end of the casing. This flange is adapted to seat against the shoulder 28 when the bullet catch is installed in the recess 22. A swaging tool is used to form a swaged portion 40 which is pressed to partially close the forward opening in the cylindrical casing 30 and to provide a circular line of contact 42 with the sphere 36. The swaged portion 40 is resilient so that an unusual result is obtained in that the force of the springs 34 will be sufficient to press the hemispherical head 36 against the resilient force exerted by the tapered heat swaged retainer member 40 which, as can be seen, is of a circular configuration terminating at a circular ring of contact 42. This circular contact will cooperate with the force exerted by the springs 34 to maintain the hemispherical head 36 in its extended position and against accidental jarring of the door because of both frictional and clamping engagement with the tapered member 40 when in a closed position, thereby enhancing the closure provided when the hemispherical head 36 engages in the depression 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The helical springs 34 serve to rotate said head as it is urged into engagement with the member 40 to enhance the frictional clamping engagement and resistance to accidental opening due to vibration and the like.

The entire bullet catch assembly 14 may be molded out of nylon and after molding the only step necessary to be done is a heat-swaging step necessary to form the tapered member 40.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features.

Claims

I claim:

1. An integral one-piece bullet catch for a movable closure having a recess, and a fixed element having a catch member provided with a depression, comprising an open ended cylindrical casing in said recess, said casing having an inwardly extending flange at one end and an outwardly extending flange at the opposite end thereof, a hemispherical head adapted to seat in said depression, said head extending partially through said opposite end, spring means integral with said head and said inwardly extending flange, and a tapered resilient retainer member resiliently frictionally and clampingly engaging said head with said spring means under compression and with said retainer member being pressed outwardly.

2. A bullet catch according to claim 1, wherein said member is circular and has circular contact with said head.

3. A bullet catch according to claim 1, wherein said springs means include a plurality of separate spaced helical springs for rotating said head upon movement thereof.

4. A bullet catch according to claim 1, wherein said member is circular and has circular contact with said head, said spring means including a plurality of separate spaced helical springs for rotating said head upon movement thereof to enhance engagement with said member to inhibit accidental opening due to vibration.