US1704946A - Selective latching device - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet III-.I m

K. H. LINDGREN SELECTIVE LATCHING DEVIQE Filed Nov. 14, 1927 March 12, 1929.

IIIIIIllII/l r March 12, 1929. UNDGREN 1,704,946

' I SELECTIVE LATCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 ltlilllllhjzzy i Patented Mar. 12 1929.

UNITED STATES KNUTE H. LINDGREN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELECTIVE LATCHING- DEVICE.

Application filed November 14, 1927. Serial No. 232,969.

The present invention relates to selective latchingdevices and is particularly concerned with the provision of a connecting device for enabling the opening or closing of the upper or remote sash by means of actuating the lower sash.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a closure fastener which is adapted to form a selective one way connection between an upper and lower sash so that the upper sash may be moved to any position by means of the connection and by force applied to the lower sash.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel sash operating system comprising two or more sashes movably mounted in a window frame and connecting meansbetween said sashes whereby one sash which is provided with handles may be used selectively to actuate any of the other and more remote sashes to any adjusted position.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel selective connection comprising a supporting member, a pair of engaging members and common means for controlling either of said engaging members whereby either engaging member may be projected while the other is withdrawn.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear more fully from the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a window equipped according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale. 7

Fig. 4 is a plan view of my connecting device with a portion of the cover removed, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar plan view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a View in perspective of one of the engaging members or pawls.

Fig. 7 is another View in perspective of the engaging member or pawl.

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the actuating member. 7 r

Fig. 9 is a phantom view in perspective of the mechanism of my device with the guides in dotted lines, with the lower pawl projected.

Fig. 10 is a similar View with the parts in intermediate position, both pawls being wit-hdrawn.

Fig. 11 is a similar view with the upper pawl projected.

Referrin to Figs. 3 to S, I have here shown the details of my connecting device indicated in its entirety at 10. The connecting device 10 may consist of a supporting plate 11 provided with a plurality of guides 12 and 13 for the pawls or engaging members la and 15 and for the actuating member 16.

The plate 11 may consist of a substantially rectangular piece of sheet metal having a (lownwardly extending attaching flange 17 formed at one end with a counter-sunk aperture 18 for reception of a fastening screw 19. The opposite end of the plate 11 is preferably formed with rounded corners 20 to give a finished appearance and provided with a similar pair of counter-sunk apertures 21 for reception of other attaching screws 22. If desired the attaching flange 17 may be elimi nated and screw apertures provided in other portions of the plate but when used on a window sash I find that this construction provides an extremely rigid and dependable fastening means.

The supporting plate 11 may be provided at an intermediate point with an integral chan nel or guide 13 formed by an upwardly extending flange 24, a flange 25 parallel to the plate. and a downwardly extending flange 26.

lVhile the guide 13 is thus made substantially rectangular in cross-section, it is not necessarily so made and may be made of any noncircular form adapted to slidably support the actuating member 16 in proper position.

The guide 12 may be formed by a second piece of sheet metal bent to substantially U shape, having an upwardly extending flange 27, a flange 28 at substantially right angles to the first flange, and a downwardly extending flange 29 substantially parallel to the flange 27. The flanges 27 and 29 may be cut away to form aligned apertures 30 of suflicient size so that the guide 12 may be placed over the guide 13 fitting closely thereon and upon the plate 11. At the same time that portion of the flanges 24, 25 and 26 otthe guide 13 which is enclosed within the guide 12 may also be removed so that the interiors of the guides are in communication witheachother. The

small upwardly projecting flange 32 of suiiicient size to enclose the end of the guide 12.

It will thus be observed that asimple and compact structureis provided having a pair of non-circular guides intersecting each other and adapted to slidably support the actuating .member 16 and the pawls 14 and 15. These guides are transversely arranged relative to each other so that they intersect and the guide 12 for the pawls is made of greater depth in order to provide room for two pawls While the guide 13 need only be of suflicientsize to receive an actuating member 16, which in the present embodiment is preferably of substantially the same size as one pawl.

The pawls 14 and 15 may be identical in shape and size, being merely reversed in position to perform alternately a similar func tion. Thus the pawl 15 (Fig. 6) may consist of an elongated non-circular metal member which is here made rectangular in order to fit within the guide 12. The pawl 15may be substantially square in cross-section, being turned down at one end to form a pin 33 for the reception of a spring 34 and being provided at an intermediate point with a slot 35.

The slot 35 is of sufficient depth to receive half of the thickness of the actuating member 16, and it will thus be observed that when the pawls 14 and 15'are placed with their slots 35 opposing each other, an aperture is formed of suflicient depth'to receive the actuating member 16.

The slots 35 may thus have a flat bottom 26, a wall 37, and a camming surface 38. The

camming surface 33 comprises a substantially smooth wall arranged at an angle to the axis of the pawl. The amount of this angle may depend upon the relative ease with which it may be desired to actuate the pawls, and I have found it convenient to make the surface 38 at an angle of about 45 degrees to the direction of motion of the pawl. The slot 35 then tapers from one side 39 to the opposite side'40, and the width of the slot at 39 must be sufficient so that the actuating member 16 can pass through the slot. I

In the. present embodiment the forward ends of the pawls 14 and 15 are preferably formed with a relatively sharp edge 41 on the same side as the slot 35 with a cam'shaped surfa'ce'42 tapering from the edge 41 down toward the "bottom or opposite sides of the pawl. The purpose of the cam shaped end is to enable the pawl to be cammed inward by contact with shoulders on a metal strip 43, when the device is moved in one direction, and'to also enable the pawl to engage such shoulders when the device is moved in the opposite direction. I desire it to be understood, however, that many of the advantages of my conn'ectlng dev1ce maybe realized without employing all of these details of construe tion, and where the pawls are not intended to ratchet over shoulders they may be formed withoutcam shaped ends.

The pawl 14 may be identical with the pawl 15 as previously described, being merely employed in inverted posit-ion asshown in Fig. 7,, and the pawls are placed with the slots 35 opposing each other so as to form an aperture adapted to receive the actuating size to fit upon the pins 33. The opposite end of the spring may bear against the wall 32 which forms the end of the guide 12, thereby urging the pawls 14 and 15 to a position where they project from the guide 12. The'location of the slots 35 in the pawls 14 and 15 should be such that when the pawls are pushed back into the guide 12, the slots35 will register with the communicating guide 13-.

The actuating member 16 may comprise a non-circular elongated metal member which is here made substantially square in crosssection so as to be slidably received in the guide 13 and the slots 35. The actuating member 16 is supported in the guide 13 by the lower wall 36 of the pawl 15 and it is guided by the flanges 24, 25 and 26 of the lower plate. The-actuating member 16 is provided at its end'with a slot 44 which is of similar shape to the slots 35 and of suflicient depth to receive that portion of the pawl which projects above the bottom 36 of the slots 35. That is, the depth of the slot 44 is substantially equal to the depth of the slot 35. The slot 44 is likewise providedwith a camming wall 45 which may be at a 45 degree angle to the axis of the actuating member. As previously stated, the obliquity of this camm-ing wall will depend on the strength of the springs and the ease with which it is desired to actuate the pawls. The slot 44 is also provided with a wall 46 which ma be perpendicular to the axis of the actuating member and it will thus be observed that the slot 44 tapers in size from the side 47 to the side 48 in a manner similar to the slot 35. The width of the slot 44 at th side 47 is, however, not so great-as the thickness of the pawl, and it will thus be observed that while the actuating member may be slid through the aperture formed by the slots 35, the pawls cannot be freely passed through the space provided by the slot 44. The purpose of makin these apertures smaller in size at the side 47 is that the point 49 will always projectslightly into-the slot 35 of one of the pawls, and it will ice be observed in Fig. 5 that the point 49 is thus in engagement with the heel 50 of the camming surface 38. The actuating member 16 is also provided with a slot 51 having a similar camming surface 52 of opposite obliquity. The slot 51'is formed upon the opposite side of the actuating member 16 from the slot 44, but it also tapers from a narrow opening on the side 53 to a wideropening at 54. It will thus be observed that the actuating member 16 is provided with a pair of cannning surfaces 45 and 52 oppositely disposed, that is to say, facing in opposite directions and also located on opposite sides of the actuating member.

The assembly of the foregoing parts may be accomplished as follows: The springs 34 and 35 may be placed upon the pins 33 and the pawls 14 and 15 placed with their slotted sides opposing each other so that the slots 35 form an aperture. The two pawls may then he slid into the guide 12 with the springs 34 and 43 foremost and by pressing both pawls with the finger until they are substantially within the guide, the aperture formed by the slots 35 will register with the guide 13. The actuating member may then be inserted from either end of the guide 13, depending whether it is desired to form a left hand device or a right hand device, as shown in Fig. 2. The same parts will perform the same functions whether the actuating device be inserted from the left or from the right because these parts are symmetrically formed. In the insertion of the actuating member the only essential thing is that the slots 44 and 51 be so disposed that the camming surfaces 45 and 52 respectively will be engaged by camining surfaces 38 on the pawls and the parts will then be in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The operation of the foregoing parts is as follows: Referring to Fig. 4, upon pulling the actuating member 16 to the left the camming surface 52 on the actuator will engage the camming surface 38 upon the pawl 15. It should be observed that the point 49 of the camming surface 52 never passes to the right out of engagement with the heel of the camming surface 38 because the slot 51 is narrower than the pawl an cl the opposite wall 54 of the slot performs the function of a stop member, striking against the pawl. Likewise the outward motion of the pawl 15 is limited by engagement of the point 49 with the heel of the camming surface 38 so that the spring 43 cannot force the pawl out-ward beyond the position shown in F 3.

As has been already stated, pulling the actuator 16 to the left will cause the camming surfaces 52 and 38 to engage, drawing the pawl 15 inward against the spring 43. During this time the upper pawl 14 has been retained in the position shown in Fig.3 by engagement of the point 49 of its cammingsurface with the side of the actuator above the slot 51.

When the actuator has reached a position so that the solid portion 55 of the actuator registers with the pawls, both pawls are in the withdrawn position, since the pawl 14 was already withdrawn and the pawl 15 has just been cammed back.

Further movement of the actuator 16 to the left in Fig. 4 will bring the slot 47 into registry with the guide 12, whereupon the camming surface 38 will slide upward in Fig. 5 against the camming surface 45 and the V pawl 14 will be forced out-ward by its spring 34. The outward motion of the pawl 14 is likewise limited by the engagement of the heel of the surface 38 with the point 49 on the surface 45. Also further movement to the left of the actuator 16 is limited by engagement of the wall 46 with the point 49 of surface 38 on pawl 14.

The operation of these parts upon reverse movementof the actuator 16 is substantially the same and when the actuator 16 is moved to the right the pawl 14 is drawn in and the pawl 15 is forced out. It should be noted that the actuator 16 performs the function of withdrawing the pawls while the springs 34 and 43 perform the function of forcing them out. Also when either pawl is in its outer position it is resiliently held by the spring but its inward motion is not obstructed by the actuator. Thus in Fig. 5 it will be evident that any pressure upon the pawl 15 will niere ly cause the heel 50 to recede from the point 49 of the actuator compressing the spring 34. Such inward motion is only limited by contact of the wall 37 with the point 49. It will thus be observed that the pawls are at all times capable of being cammed inward by engagement of the cam ends 42 with keepers or shoulders on the metal strips 43.

The relative positions of the pawls and actuator during these movements are more clearly shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. In 9 the lower pawl is in projected position while the upper pawl is withdrawn; 10 shows the parts in intermediate positions with both pawls withdrawn, while Fig. 11 shows the parts in the next position, the upper pawl having been projected.

My connecting device '10 is of particular importance when used in combination with a pair of window sashes as shown in F 1. Referring to Fig. 1, 56 indicates in its entirety a window frame of any construction having a pair of guides 5'7 and 58 for sli lably mounting an upper sash 59 and a lower sash 60. The sashes are customarily separated by a window stop 61 and provided with the usual fastening means consisting of a keeper 62 and a cam shaped member 63. My connecitl ing device 10 is preferably mounted upon the lower sash, two of these devices being employed with the actuator 16 reversed so as to form right hand and left hand devices 64 and 65. The plate 11 is secured to the upper edge lib) lit)

of the sash by aplurality of screws 19 and 22 and in such manner that the pawls let and 15 project suficiently from the outer upper edge of the lower sash to engage metal strips 43 ont-he upper sash.

The metal strips 43 comprise strips of sheet metal havin a plurality of apertures 66 with flat upper. and bottom sides. While the apertures 66 are shown substantially rectangular in form they are not necessarily so, and are so formed. in order that the upper edges 67 of the apertures may form flat shoulders for engagement with the lower pawl 15 and the lower walls 68 may form fiat shoulders for engagement with the point of the upper pawl 14. The length of the strips 43 is governed by the range of adjustment desiredand where the strips ext nd fronithe top to bottom of the upper sash, as in Fig. 1, the maximum range of adjustment is provided.

In order to actuate both conne l devices at the same time, a lever 69 be pivotally mounted upon the same bolt which secures the fastener 63 and a pair of-connecting rods 70 provided to connect said lever to the actuators 16. For this purpose the actuators 16 may be formed with threaded bores 71 in their projecting ends and the connecting rods 70 may consist of rods having th eaded ends as at 72. The lever 69 may be provided with a pair of apertures 73 at one end and with a handle 7st at the opposite end.- The opposite ends of the connecting rods from those described may be bent over at substantially right angles so as to be received in the aper-.

tures 73 of the lever 69.

at ill thus be observed that the connecting rods may be sprung upward with their ends out of engagement with the lever 69, after which I the connecting rods may be threaded into the bores 71 of the actuators 16 to adj ust the length of the connecting rods to any desired value. 7

The operation of the foregoing assembly of elements is as follows. When the lever 69 is moved to the left as shown in Fig. 2, the connecting rods 70 are moved to the right and the lower pawls 15 are both projected to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the lower sash may be slid downwardly relative to the upper sash during which move ment the pawl 15 will snap over the shoulders 68 on'the strips 43. However if the lower sash is moved upward while the pawls are in this positior. the lower pawls 15 will enga e the shoulders 6'? and the upper sashwill be moved up by merely pushing on the lower sash by means of the'handle 7 or otherwise.

'lVhen the lever 69 is moved toward the right from the position shown in Fig. '2, the

connecting rods will be actuated to the left and the lower pawls will be withdrawn. Vhen the lever 69 has reached aposition perpendicular to the plane of the window, both pawls will: be withdrawn but further move: ment of the lever 69 will move the actuators .16 to such position that the upper pawls l9 are projected. hen the pawls are in this position the lower sash may be moved upward relative to the upper sash and the pawl 14 will snap over the shoulders 67. This is the proper positionof the pawlswhen it is deired to open tlieupper window.

In order to open the upper window the lower sasl i then raised until the lower window has reached an opening equivalent to that desired for the upper window. Duringthis motion the connecting devices 10 with their pawls l l ratchet over the shoulders 67 until they reach the desired point. The lower sash may then be pulled downwardly and the pawls 14 will engage the shoulders 68 and draw the upper sash down with the lower sash. It will be evidentthat the upper sash may be opened to a point equal to the previous opening of the lower sash or the operator may stop with both sashes open.

It will thus be observed that I have provided ective connecting device by means of which an'upper or remotesash may be conveniently and selectivelyconnected to the lower sash in such manner that the upper sash is just easily controlled and moved to open position as the lower sash.

While 1 am aware that closure fasteners have been constructed for the purpose of looking sashes together in open position, I am not aware that any of these devicescan be employed to perform the present function for the reason that none of them are adapted to exert a balanced force upon the upper sash. For instance, if only one strip agand one connecting devise 10 were employed at one side of the window after the manner of the locking devices of tlieprior art, the force exerted upon the upper sash by the lower sash would be unbalanced and would result in the upper sash binding in its guides. This is particularly true where the windows are of any substantial width or where the sashes are of unusual weight. 7

While l have'illustrated my connecting device in connection with a closure fastener, I

desire'it to be understood that I consider my invention of general application and capable of many other'uses.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of my invention many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not. wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scopeof the appended claims. 7 7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: Y

1. In a closure device, the combination of a V window frame with a pair of sashes, and one way connecting means between said sashes whereby a first sash may be moved relative to the second in one direction and the second sash actuated in the opposite direction by moving said first sash.

2. In a closure device, the combination 01 a window frame with a pair of sashes, a row of shoulders carriedby an upper sash at each side adjacent the lower sash, and latching devices carri'ed by the lower sash for sliding over said shoulders in one direct-ion and engaging certain of said shoulders when moved in the opposite direction.

3. In a closure device,the combination of a window frame with a pair of sashes, a row of shoulders carried by an upper sash at each side adjacent the lower sash, and selective latching devices having a pawl tor actuating the upper sash in either direction by moving the lower sash.

4. In a closure device, the combination of a window frame with a pair of sashes, a row of shoulders carried by an upper sash at each side adjacent the lower sash, selective latching devices having a pawl for actuating the upper sash in either direction by'moving the lower sash, means for locking said sashes in closed position, and operative connections between said locking means and said latching devices to actuate the latter by said locking means.

5. In a selective connecting device, the combination of a supporting member, with a pair of latching members, and common means for projecting one of said latching members and yyithdrawing the other of said latching memers.

a support, a pair of engaging members carried by said support, resilient means for bias mg sald members toward one position and 6." In a selective connecting device, the com-V common means for releasing one member and withdrawing the other.

8. In a latching device, the combination of a support, a pair of engaging members carried by said support, resilient means for biasing said members toward one position and an actuating member comprising cams for withdrawing either of said engaging members from said position.

9. In a latching device, the combination of a sheet metal casing comprising '1 plate bent to form a guide with aliixing flanges, a second guide mounted on said plate transverse to said first guide and connnunicating therewith, an actuating member in said first guide. and a pair of pearls in said second guide, said pawls and member having complementary cam surfaces whereby said pawls are actuated by said member.

10. In a latching device, the combination of a sheet metal casing comprising a plate bent to form a guide with aflixing flanges, a second guide mounted on s aid plate transverse to said first guide and communicating therewith, an actuating member in said first guide, said member havin a slot therein, and a pawl having a slotadapted to slidably receive said member whereby said member is operative to projectsaid pawl.

11. In a selective latching device, the combinatien of supporting plate having a guide formed therein with a second guide member carried transversely to said first guide, a pair of pawls slidably mounted in said first guide, said pawls being notched to receive an actuating member, an actuating member having inclined camming surfaces for engagin simi lar camming surfaces on said pawls and resilient means for biasing said pawls to a projected position whereby said actuating member is adapted to withdraw one of said pawls and to project the other when said actuating member is moved in its guide.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of November, 1927.

KNUTE H. LINDGREN.

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