U.S. patent number 3,583,736 [Application Number 04/819,392] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-08 for snap action lock mechanism for two-winged doors flaps or the like.
Invention is credited to Celina Willimzik.
United States Patent |
3,583,736 |
Willimzik |
June 8, 1971 |
SNAP ACTION LOCK MECHANISM FOR TWO-WINGED DOORS FLAPS OR THE
LIKE
Abstract
A locking mechanism for two-winged door folds or the like,
characterized by at least one axially movable latch bolt in a
support housing which engages lockingly with a complementary
counterpart at one of the wings while a counterpart at the other
wing blocks the sliding latch bolt in the closing position.
Inventors: |
Willimzik; Celina (503
Hurth-Burbach near Cologne, DT) |
Family
ID: |
5688358 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/819,392 |
Filed: |
April 25, 1969 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 27, 1968 [DT] |
|
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1703285 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
292/16;
292/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05C
7/06 (20130101); E05C 19/028 (20130101); Y10T
292/0878 (20150401); Y10T 292/0816 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05C
7/06 (20060101); E05C 7/00 (20060101); E05C
19/00 (20060101); E05C 19/02 (20060101); E05c
007/06 (); E05c 019/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;292/16,14,74,70,75
;70/82 ;49/366,394 ;287/2.92E |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Assistant Examiner: Wolfe; Robert L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A lock mechanism, for two-winged doors, flaps or the like,
characterized by support means arranged to the rear of the wings
within the area of the gaps defined thereby, two axially movable
slide bolt means in said support means and provided at the ends
thereof with inclined abutments surfaces for lockingly engaging
with a counterbolt means forming an abutment means matched thereto
and provided at one of the wings and simultaneously aligning the
closing position of said one wing, said slide bolt means being
controllable in opposite directions by common spring means, further
means including counterbolt means forming an abutment means at the
other wing for blocking said bolt means in the closed position, and
said slide bolt means being provided with end portions engaging
into complementary surfaces of the abutment means at the wings,
wherein the support means includes a housing forming a spring space
and in that the slide bolt means are constructed as flat slide
members each provided with aperture means forming a frame for the
common spring means, the common spring means being supported with
the ends thereof at the end edges of the aperture means as well as
at the end walls of the spring space, and the end walls being
disposed substantially flush with the end edges.
2. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the
spring space of the housing is provided with at least one spring
support channel means.
3. A lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that
several spring support channel means are provided.
4. A lock mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the spring means
controlling the slide bolt means is provided at the ends thereof
with pressure bushings aligning the spring.
5. A lock mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the
pressure bushings are formed by several spring end-windings
disposed closely adjacent one another.
6. A lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the
spring space of the housing is closed off by a detachable cover
means which is provided on the inside thereof with a spring support
channel means.
7. A lock mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the bottom of the
housing is provided with said cover means.
8. A lock mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that
also the side of the spring space opposite the side provided with a
spring insert opening is provided with the spring support channel
means.
9. A lock mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the
spring space of the housing is as high as the spring diameter and
the spring means is supported with about one-third of its diameter
at the end walls of the spring space and with the other two-thirds
of the diameter at the end edges of the aperture means.
10. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that
the ends of the slide bolt means run out in wedge-shaped means in
such a manner that on the sides facing the wings, longer abutment
surfaces are provided.
11. A lock mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the
wedge-shaped means are disposed symmetrically to the longitudinal
axis.
12. A lock mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the
wedge-shaped means are disposed asymmetrically to the longitudinal
axis.
13. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that a
lateral securing flange means is provided at the housing.
14. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that
said housing is provided with one securing flange means each at its
end faces.
15. A lock mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that
the ends of each securing flange means extend in a substantially
semicircular shape.
16. A lock mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that
the upper edge of each securing flange means is rounded off.
17. A lock mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that
the upper edge of each securing flange means is beveled off.
18. A lock mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that
the securing flange means are provided with elongated securing
aperture means disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of
the housing.
19. A lock mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that
at least one of the sliding bolt means is provided in an extension
thereof with an access aperture for the securing slot disposed
therebelow in the securing flange means. 20A lock mechanism
according to claim 1, wherein small lug means with projecting
rounded-off nose portions serve as abutment means at the wings,
said nose portions passing over on the inner sides thereof into
inclined surfaces matched to the wedge-shaped edges of the slide
bolt means and which together with the respective wing form a
pocket for the
accommodation of the end portions of the slide bolt means. 21. A
lock mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the small lug means
are provided
also with securing slots. 22. A lock mechanism according to claim
21, wherein the securing slots are disposed in the axial direction
of the
housing. 23. A lock mechanism according to claim 21, wherein the
securing
slots extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 24.
A lock mechanism according to claim 21, wherein the small lug means
are provided
with additional stop aperture means. 25. A lock mechanism according
to claim 1, wherein the slide bolt means are axially guided in
slotted
aperture means provided in the end walls of the housing. 26. A lock
mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing
is provided with a marking at the front side thereof in order to
facilitate
the correct assembly. 27. A lock mechanism according to claim 1,
characterized in that the housing and abutment means are
threadably
secured on respective parts. 28. A lock mechanism according to
claim 1, characterized in that the housing and abutment means are
arranged
recessed. 29. A lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized
in that with the exception of the spring means all parts are made
of synthetic
resinous material. 30. A lock mechanism according to claim 1,
characterized in that plug and stop pin means are provided which
extend from abutment surfaces of the securing parts and which are
roughened on
the outside thereof. 31. A lock mechanism according to claim 30,
wherein said securing parts include glue dowel pins provided
with
glue-escape-channels. 32. A lock mechanism according to claim 2,
characterized in that also the side of the spring space opposite
the side provided with a spring insert opening is provided with
spring support
channel means. 33. A lock mechanism according to claim 1,
characterized in that the spring space of the housing is as high as
the spring diameter and the spring means is supported with about
one-third of its diameter at the end walls of the spring space and
with the other two-thirds of the
diameter at the end edges of the aperture means. 34. A lock
mechanism according to claim 2, wherein small lug means with
projecting rounded-off nose portions serve as abutment means at the
wings, said nose portions passing over on the inner sides thereof
into inclined surfaces matched to the wedge-shaped edges of the
slide bolt means and which together with the respective wing form a
pocket for the accommodation of the end portions of the slide bolt
means.
Description
The present invention relates to a snap-type lock mechanism for
two-winged doors, flaps, or the like.
It is a prerequisite for a reliable closing of two-winged doors or
flaps that at least one of the wings is initially accurately
aligned in its closing position and is securely locked in the
closing position before the other wing is brought into its closing
position. An unconstrained and easy locking by means of a lock
possibly provided at one of the wings is also assured thereby.
The latch of the initially closing wing, as a rule, the left wing,
takes place heretofore by displaceable latch bolts mounted at the
top and at the bottom of the wing whose latching ends engage into
apertures disposed in front of them, for example, disposed in a
floor and in a ceiling-board. The actuation of this latch bolt is
complicated because one has to reach thereby laterally about the
wing edge and during actuation of the lower latch bolt, for
example, in doors and display cabinets and chests of drawers, one
has to reach additionally deep down for the latching bolt. Even
though such bolting precludes an undesirable opening of the wing,
it is frequently either too loose or too tight in an undesirable
manner because an accurately fitted assembly is difficult. Either
the locking mechanism has too much play in its movements or too
little and therefore becomes wedged or jams.
The present invention aims at constituting the latching operation
automatic and to improve the effect thereof as regards the neat
alignment of the wing in its closing position.
The present invention essentially consists of a mounting support
fixedly arranged behind the wings for at least one movable or
pivotal closure part which lockingly engages in a counterpart at
the wing matched to the closure part and simultaneously aligning
the wing in its closing position, and which is blocked in the
closing position thereof by an abutment secured at the other
wing.
These and further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become more obvious from the following description
when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows,
for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view on two wing ends with a lock mechanism
operating by means of two axially springily supported latch bolts,
in the closing position thereof;
FIG. 2 is a side view, partially in longitudinal cross section, of
the latch bolt housing of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an end view of a counter-latch-bolt according to the
embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in longitudinal cross
section, through a further embodiment of a latch-bolt guide system
and associated spring means in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a plan view on two superposed sliding latch-bolts of the
arrangement according to FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a bottom cover of the
sliding latch-bolt housing according to the embodiment of FIG.
5;
FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of the housing of the
embodiment of FIG. 5 with a plug-pin at the securing flange;
and
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a counter-latch-bolt according
to FIG. 1 with a glue-dowel-pin and stop-bolt.
Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are
used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more
particularly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, there is fixedly
arranged behind the gap 1 of the wings 2 and 3, a housing 4
bridging the gap 1 under an angle of 90.degree.. The housing 4 is
supported thereby by a mounting plate 5 disposed along the
longitudinal edge thereof which is provided with two elongated
apertures 6 disposed transversely to the housing longitudinal axis
for the passage of securing screws; the distance of the housing 4
from the wings 2 and 3 may be finely adjusted and fixed by means of
the securing screws engaged in the elongated apertures 6. Such a
housing can be provided at the top and/or at the bottom of a floor-
or ceiling-board or may also be provided at an intermediate board.
A strip or a small mounting block may also possibly suffice.
Two cross-sectional areas 8 and 9 of the same height and of equal
length are disposed opposite one another in each end face of the
housing 4 for the passage therethrough of two sliding latch-bolts
10 and 11 disposed directly one above the other, which project at
the outer ends thereof with a wedge-shaped nose portion 12 and 13,
respectively, out of the housing 4 and which are supported against
the inclined surfaces 14 and 15 of two abutment lugs 16 and 17
acting as counterlatches or abutment members and provided at the
wings 2 and 3. Both sliding latch bolts 10 and 11 are supported in
an axially springy manner. For that purpose, they are provided with
a respective elongated rectangular aperture 18 and 19 for the
accommodation of one or several compression springs 20 which are
supported at the end edges of the apertures 18 and 19 and at the
end walls of the housing space 21. It is of advantage to make the
apertures 18 and 19 and the spring space 21 of the housing 4 of
equal length. The spring 20 is inserted with a certain prestress,
however, it still possesses a sufficient spring path for the axial
movements of the sliding latch-bolts. It should also be mentioned
that the sliding latch-bolt 11 is provided with only one
wedge-shaped nose portion 13 and its other end, as viewed from the
wings, it constructed only as rising at an inclination (13a). The
other sliding latch-bolt 10 possesses, in addition to the
wedge-shaped portion 12, also a wedge-shaped nose portion at its
other end 12a. The wedge-shaped nose portions 12 and 13 extending
out of the housing ends are slightly displaced back with respect to
the sliding latch-bolt longitudinal axes so that the inclined edges
facing the wings become longer. Finally, the housing 4 is provided
with a spring support channel 22.
OPERATION
The operation of the arrangement described above is as follows:
During closing of both wings 2 and 3, at first wing 2 is pivoted in
the direction toward the housing 4. The nose position 17a of the
counterlatch or abutment part 17 thereby abuts against the forward
edge of the wedge-shaped nose portion 13 and presses the sliding
latch-bolt 11 by stressing the spring 20 back against the housing 4
so far until the nose portion 17a has passed the wedge tip of nose
portion 13 and the latter comes into contact with the inclined
surface 15 at the counterlatch or abutment part 17. Thereupon, the
spring 20 urges the sliding latch-bolt 11 again out of the housing
4, and the pressure thereof against the inclined surface 15 pulls
the wing completely into its closing position. During the
subsequent pivoting of the wing 3 toward the housing 4, the same
operation takes place between the sliding latch-bolt 10 and its
wedge-shaped nose portion 12 in front of the counterlatch or
abutment part 16.
By a corresponding distance of the counterparts or abutment members
16 and 17, care is taken that in the locking position of the
movable parts illustrated in FIG. 1, the spring 20 has been
slightly compressed and therewith its end-stress is still greater
by a slight amount than its prestress determined by the length of
the housing space 21. The end-stress, however, can only be so large
that an opening of the wing, for example, by means of a door handle
or with the aid of the key of a lock arranged at the wing, is
possible again. As a result of the counterlatch or abutment part
16, disposed in its locking position with its nose portion 16a
closely in front of the end of the sliding latch bolt 13a, the
locking of the wing 2 is blocked. The counterbolts or abutment
members 16 and 17 are also provided with elongated apertures 23
extending in the direction of the spring axis for a fine adjustment
of their distance and with an additional aperture 24 for fixing the
same.
The arrangement and operation of the embodiment of FIG. 5, 6, and 7
corresponds in principle to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4.
Only the purely structural difference exists that the securing
flanges 5a are arranged at the end faces of the housing 4 and one
of the sliding latch-bolts, for example, the sliding latch-bolt 10
is extended and provided with an aperture 26 as access to the
securing slot 6 disposed therebelow. Additionally, the spring space
21 is closed off by a cover 27 provided with the spring support
channel 22, and the spring ends are wound by means of turns closely
abutting against each other into support bushings 20a.
Appropriately, the spring space 21 of the housing 4 is as high as
the spring outer diameter. Within the spring space 21 the spring
supports itself with one-third of its diameter at the spring space
end walls and with its remaining two-thirds at the end edges of the
sliding latch-bolt apertures 18 and 19.
The wedge shapes 12 and 13 of the sliding latch-bolts are in the
illustrated embodiment constructed symmetrically to the
longitudinal axes thereof. The ends of the securing flanges 5a
extend approximately in semicircular shape, for example,
concentrically about the bore 6, and the upper edges thereof are
either rounded off or, as illustrated in FIG. 5, beveled off at an
inclination (5b). This beveling forms an abutment edge for the wing
to be pivoted toward the same and has the purposes to lift a wing
which is, for example, somewhat loose in its hinges or slightly
sags, into its correct closing position. Of course, it is also
possible to mount bushings, made separately, over the ends of the
spring 20. With the exception of the spring 20, all of the parts
described above may be made of synthetic resinous material,
preferably in such a manner that they can be conventionally
injection-molded or extruded by a simple movement of two mold
halves without sliding part or core molds. Also, the described
closure parts may be simply screwed onto the wing inside or may be
arranged recessed in recesses provided for the accommodation
thereof.
For the operationally correct assembly, it is of advantage to
provide the front side of the housing 4 facing the wings with a
closed or embossed mark.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, instead of the securing slots and
fixing apertures 6 and 23, there may also be arranged
plug-and-stop-pins 58 and 59 projecting directly from the abutment
surface of the securing parts 5 and 5a or from the housing 4,
especially glue pegs or dowel-pins. For the purpose of an intimate
connection between these pins or pegs with the glue mass, the
former are roughened at the outer surfaces thereof in any known
manner, for example, by projections or bosses or in particular by
means of glue-escape-channels 16.
While I have shown and described two embodiments in accordance with
the present invention, it is understood that the same is not
limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and
modifications as are known to a person skilled in the art, and I
therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are within the scope of those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *