US2479921A - Flush type toggle latch - Google Patents

Description

Aug 23, 194. A. |A @ANDER 2,479,921

FLUSH TYPE TOGGLE LATCH Filed March l5, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet' l Au@ 23, 99. AF. @ANDER 2,479,9m

FLUSH TYPE TOGGLE LATCH Filed March 15, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 till M) Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUSH TYPE TOGGLE LATCH Arnold F. Gander, Berkeley, Calif.

Application March 15, 1945, Serial No. 582,866

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to latch mechanisms and particularly to those of a type adapted to quick release and to uses such, for example, as the latching of doorscovering inspection openings in aircraft, automobiles and the like.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved and rugged latching mechanism which, although light in` weight and made of a relatively few parts is also dependable in operation and to hold rmly when latched in spite of vibration and jolts.

The present invention has for another object the provision of a latch mechanism having only the operating element thereof exposed to the outer surface of the part upon which it is mounted and being flush therewith. i y

Another object of this invention is to provide a latch mechanism having an exposed operating element so constructed and arranged that it forms a seal against the weather and elements when closed and is notrendered inoperative by bad weather conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved latch mechanism adapted to use in connection with the closure for inspection openings of aircraft and the like, and which is compact and may be manufactured at low cost without sacrificing dependability of operation and long life.

In one of its more specic aspects, my invention has for an object thel provision of a latch mechanism including an actuating element upon which forces normally encountered in use, such as air pressure, tend to neutralize or balance on two sides of the element.Y Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings of which there are two sheets:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one side of a wall section of an airplane or the like, showing one type of door to which a preferred embodiment of my latch mechanism is attached;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking at the opposite side of the door from that shown in Fig. 1 which depicts a preferred form of my latch mechanism in rear elevation;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of the door and latch mechanismA indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the section for both views is taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows the latch mechanism in a holding position and Fig. 4 shows the latch mechanism in a retracted position;

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively sectional views taken substantially on lines 5-5 and 6--6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '1 is a View similar to Fig. 1 which shows the adaptation of a modified form of my invention to the door structure of an airplane or the like;

Fig. 8 is a View of the modied. form of my invention shown in Fig. 7 drawn to a larger scale and disclosing the side opposite from that shown inFig.'l;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views, with the sections for both being taken substantially along the line 3--9 of Fig. 8, and wherein Fig. 9 shows the latch mechanism in a holding position and Fig. 10 depicts the latch mechanism in a retracted position; and

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are respectively sectional views taken substantially on lines II-I l, I2-I2 and l3-I3 of Fig. 9 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, my preferred form of latch mechanism 20 is indicated in its adaptation to the releasable holding of a door 22, which door is swingably supported with respect to a wall 23 by a hinge 24 so as to provide a closure for an opening 25 in the wall. The wall indicated comprises an outer covering or skin 26 which has secured to the inner surface thereof a door jamb 2l against which the edges of the door seat to provide a substantially tight closure for the opening; Preferably near the edge of the door opposite that which is hingedly supported, an aperture 28 is provided for access to the latch mechanism 2U and manual operation thereof from the outside of the door.

In its preferred form, the latch mechanism 20 includes a base v23 having mounting flanges 30 and integral supporting flanges 32. One surface of the base 29 opposite the side from which the supporting anges 32 project is at or adapted to conform closely to the inner surface of the door 22. An aperture 33 in the base 29 is somewhat larger than the aperture 28 in the door and is concentrically disposed with respect to the aperture 28 to provide a sealing surface 34 around the aperture 28 when the base is secured to the inner surface of the door by suitable fastening means such as rivets 35.

Desirably the supporting ilanges 32 have parallel end portions 36 and 31 at their opposite ends, While the intermediate portions are curved outwardly around the aperture 33. Rotatably mounted between the supporting flanges 32 by pin 38 is a latch actuator 39. The pin 38 extends through the parallel end portions 31 and a bearing portion 49 at one end of the actuator 39 and is secured in place by suitable means such as a cross pin 42. The.. actuatorL 39, has integral flanges 4'3 extendin'g across thea. inner suraca thereof from the bearing portion 40 in spaced and' parallel relation. In alignment with the apen ture 28 the actuator 39 has a protruding mid'- portion 44 adapted to lt into the?apertura28El and an integral projecting ilange Ilsurrounding, the protruding portion which conforms to and'A seats against the sealing surface;3.4;5tcr:provide;Av

a sealed closure for the aperture 28 when the latch mechanism is in. the holding position as shown in Fig. 3. In order to preserve a smooth and streamlined outer-surface;- the protruding mid-portion of@ the actnatorf is= lishf" with4V the outer surface of the door when the flange 45iis seated-1 against/: the' sealingT surface 342 Thus'- the side of the door and provides a substantially weathereproofseal fbrfftheY access aperture 28 when thel doorv isr closed? and lielil by the latcli mechanism. Y K

The actuator 39 is biased to the closed position by atorsifon spring: 46,1"whioh'spring, byfpref'erence;Y has sidel'oopsf 4T encircling the ends: offtli'e bearing portionftll' anv intermediate connecting portion 48 which connects the loops and@ eng-ages the sidesvof-*thee angesr l13fand engagel the rear surface offh `the actuator-- 39;

Adi acenthe-swingihg `endi1tlie actuator 3 95, latchboltl 52W-is supportedl forfrotaryfswinging movement relative to the base bysfa pin=-52wiiicli extend'sltliroughitlef-parallel end portions'` 3610i the--ilanges- 32 and? alf-bearing portion- 532 ofi the latci'rY bolt; The@ pixrf- 55 is securedfin i place by fastening means such asffacrosspiir 54%' The latchcbcltl'ti has an: integral flatching portion- 55 andL is-` swirrgalilet abouti-1 the anis#V or?" theL1 pin 'i 52 alf-holding 1 position linftlex l'aticlfingA portion:Y engages: aw keeperv 5fsecureclil to` thee door jambi'fbyffastening means sucht:antrivetsiVY The holdingA positionao'theflat'chebolt Billie illiist'rated im Eig.' 3i., Whenr swungfto. afv retracted position?,` sucht asv that: illustrated ini-Fig: Y the'wl'atci bol-'t 59 disengageathevkeeper wandallowsltlie' toiswin'gfopen--l Actuat-i'om ofthe latch bolt 50 byimanua-l movesment. ofthe l actuaton39 Vis.Yaffectedthroug-l-a con-knection :betweeristheiflatchi b'cfltA and?. theT swinging endi of thea actuator: whichiisprovide'dby aliiik' 59'. Ationeaend theelinkrEais notatabltvconnected toithellatch bolt atvai positionxfdisplaced From vthe axis of the latch bolt supporting pin BETfbyfa/'piri 'Iheeother enidsotf'thealnkrisrnotatabl connected,` to?thasuzvingingftendifv oftthe.- actuatorA byfa 611i:x whichr: extends; thrcughi the'.l actuator flanges: 43.. In the retractedpositione of." tha latchsbcilt;` which is 1illustrated in: Fig; 4;. aninte1 gral stop:- 62; on onesidez ot theouterrsurface ci? therbeaning portio1r-53toftheflatclr bolt engages aaco-actingstop 63,'on2the end surfacezofftheflink 59' torpreventimovenrentof thezlatchvbolt beyond a ,positionfim winch; ther axes of the z pins; 595i and arel in: substzmtial-` alignment with; the-f axis oi,th efpin' 52. Y

By the disclosedconstruct'ron:andsarrangement 0E: pants', .the actuatcrv 39;? scn'ves:l aa. a; paint@ off, a

toggle connection by which the latch bolt 50 is rmly urged to its holding position so as not to be affected by vibration or jarring, while the latch bolt itself serves as a part of another toggle connection which holds the latch bolt in a, retracted position against the biasing force of the spring 46 when operated thereto by manual movement of the actuator 39.

The. iunction of the, toggle.. connection for holding;` the:` latch`V bolt v5w rmly engagement with the keeper 56 may be understood by reference to Fig. 3. As there illustrated, when the latch bolt 50 is in the holding position the axes oii'ftlie pins-.591 and 60 which provide the connections of the link 58 to the latch bolt and actuator,

respectively, approach alignment with the axis of; thaL pimBaf. upon which the actuator is rotatably, supported. If it is desired that the latch bolt'sliallbe securely held in the holding position when the actuator is in the holding or closed positi-ong thiefparts-emay#besdconstructedthatthe axisK of-. the pirr 60 is' actuallyi'alignedwith the axesfoitliepii'xs 59ffafnd38ior-crossestvtheiflnebatween the axesnofr'tlewpins 59land 313i this instance?" however; tha dbor'f cannct bey closed Whenvtl'ie latch bolt' is in thalioldingfposition Without;A retracti'ng` theE latch: boltbyr'manual op erationY ofl theactuatoir 39? Imthe disclosed: form; wherein tl'ieaxis'ilof tliepifn approaples alignment with theaxesioit'liev pinsff 59? and? 38; the engagement of the angularlylfdisposedivedgek 6I- oftl're latch--boltrW-itl'rv tlie'- l'oor 'jaInb'-y applies a component ofiforce tlircirglrfth-e linie 59i to move the actuator' against" the biasing force# of the spring=y 43, permitting;` closure'off" the door and automatic latching operationawherrtlie=latch bolt isin-thefholding'fposition:

As illustrated' in- Fig: 4-,2 tlieVIV latnlrbolt" 56VIV is retained infthe-'retracted'position"when actuated thereto* by manual' I movement" ofi-"tile actuatorY 39' by virtuewof: the` alignment" of tl'ie axes ofitlie pins 52, 59 and 60 Which'suppori the-'actuator and the link" 58 It i`s understood-ofz course that t-lie1a-Xismofitliepixr'59Fmayh either bedrr alignment withr4 theu axes ofs the pins 52i andi" llliwhen the stops' (i2t and @are infcontactor'na'yj passisligltl'y beyond' that'Y positi'oir of alignment? lfit-*were desired that tlieV l'atr'zhr mechanismslfionllz automatically return to the holding position after manual release; the axisf o theipinb 59Av wordt? approach but woul'drea'ch"` alignment with-the pins 52n and* (IJv in-whiclr Ainstance` the spring woulftlfreturnther latch-bolt* td the' lioldingposition- With the" disclosed l'at'ch meclr'xai'rismr irr which the actuator and latclrboltiareretainedlin the" retracted positionA after manualLv opera-tion thereto; itf is reset forf holding 'the-i door` closed by manuali' movementv of" the actuator onlinlt'to upset the"align-ment`- of'"the-axesoffthe pins 52"; 59 and 60 from the inside off-*the*-door;

For7 purposes# off illustratingrthee construction and operation of the modified form Uf=` my1atich mechanism disclosedL inf-Bligsa 'Pto 123;V inclusive,

Y the wall door-and keeperstructures-'mayfbe con'- sideredsimil'arto those previously-describedand arefreferred t@y by like reference-:numerals Although there are many features of similarityrbee tween thetwo.-disclosedflatclifmechanlsms, such the .ilushi 'mountingf of the latchf mechanism with; the e outer-*surface ofif'thelfdoor, the weather proof sealing ofthef accessfopenings: byftli'ex latch? actuating-'parts andi-'tlieuseoff'toggle connections forretaining the laten boltlandfi actuator.z in the loldingforffretracted' positions Wherr'ma-nuall it Voperated. thereto@ the V modified-'1 formi' my: latcii mechanism shown in Figs. 'l to 13 inclusive has an actuator 19 which permits full manual control of the latch mechanism from outside the door. In this instance, the door has two openings 12 and 19 which are desirably near the side thereof opposite the hinge 24 andl are spaced for alignment with manually operable contact or button portions 11i and 15 of the actuator 10.

For supporting the latch mechanism 16 in an operative position adjacent the openings 12 and 13= in the door, it includes a base 11 which has mounting flanges secured to the inner surface of the door by fastening means such as the rivets as well as inwardly extending and substantially parallel supporting flanges 19. One face of the base 11 conforms to the surface of the door against which it is mounted. In the midportion of the base and between the supporting flanges 19 is an opening 80 of a smaller size than the opening 12 in the door and which is substantially concentric with respect to the opening 12 to provide a sealing surface 82 for seating engagement with the button portion 14 of the actuator.

The latch actuator 19 has oppositely extending end portions or arms 83 and 84 which carry the button portions 14 and 15 respectively in positions for alignment with the openings 12 and 13 and is rotatably supported intermediate its ends by a pin 85 which extends through the supporting flanges 19 and a bearing portion 86 of the actuator. The pin 85 is secured in place by fastening means such as a cross pin 81. The extending end or arm S3 of the actuator is curved and extends outwardly through the opening 80 for movement of the button portion 14 toward and from the outer surface of the door, While the arm Sii carries the button portion 15 for movement toward and from the inner surface of the door.

The thickness of the button portion 14 is such that when it is seated against the sealing surface 82, its surface is flush with the outer surface of the wall. The button portion 15 has a protruding mid-portion B8 adapted to t into the opening 13 and has an integrally flanged outer edge providing a sealing surface 89 which seats against the inner surface of the wall adjacent the opening 13. By this arrangement of structure, both openings 12 and 13 are closed and sealed by their respective button portions of the actuator and present surfaces flush with the outer surface of the wall when the latch mechanism is in the holding position, as shown in Fig. 9. In addition, and since the button portions 14 and 15 are opposite sides of the actuator support pin 95, the effect of air pressure against the two button portions tends to balance so as to avoid a tendency for the air pressure to effect an undesired release of the latch mechanism.

A latch bolt 99 is rotatably supported between the supporting flanges 19 adjacent the end of the arm 83 of the actuator by a pin 92 which extends through the supporting flanges and a bearing portion 93 of the latch bolt. The pin 92 is held in position by suitable means such as a cross pin all. As in the previously described form of my invention, the latch bolt includes an integraljatching portion 95 for engagement with the keeper 55 to hold the door in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 9.

At a position displaced from the axis of the latch bolt support pin 92, the latch bolt is rotatably connected to one end of a link 96 by a pin 96. The other end of the link 91 is rotatably connected to the arm 83 of the actuator by a pin 9B so that the link forms an actuating connection between the actuator 19 and the latch bolt 90. In addition to the link 9B, and to provide a biasing force for holding the latch bolt in the position to which it is last manually operated, a bowed compression spring 99 has one end anchored to the latch bolt support pin 92 and its other end connected to the pin 98.

In one position of the actuator 19, such as the closed or holding position indicated in Fig. 9, the pin 98 by which the link is connected to the actuator arm, is on one side of a toggle action line passing through the axes of the pins 92 and 85 upon which the latch bolt and actuator respectively are supported. In this position of the actuator, a component of the biasing force of the spring 99 biases the actuator in a direction which maintains the seated relation of the button portions 14, 15 with their respective sealing surfaces. In the other position of the actuator which is shown in Fig. l0, the pin 98 and the end of the spring 99 which is connected thereto have crossed the action line of the toggle passing through the axes of the pins 92 and 85 and a component of the force of the spring 99 biases the actuator to the open or retracted position. Thus, the arm 83 of the actuator and the compression spring 99 provide a toggle connection for maintaining the latch mechanism in the position to which it is last operated.

In the holding position of the latch mechanism shown in Fig. 9, the axes of the pins 91 and 93 at the ends of the link 96 are in substantial alignment with the axis of the pin 85 which supports the actuator. This alignment of the axes of the pins 91, 98 and 85 substantially locks the latch bolt in the holding position firmly to maintain that position against any possible effects of vibrations or jarring when the door is closed and prevents the closing of the door without manipulation of the actuator when the latch bolt is in the holding position. Thus the arm 83 of the actuator and the link 96 form parts of a second toggle connection which has a controlling influence upon theoperation of the latch mechanism.

Quick release of the door for opening is effected from outside the door by manual force applied to the button portion 15 of the actuator. Closing of the door and its retention in the closed position by the latch mechanism is effected by pushing the door shut and then applying force to the button portion 14 of the actuator.

From the foregoing description of the structure and operation of both of the disclosed forms of my latch mechanism, it may be understood that each includes a combination of toggle connections wherein the actuator serves as a part of the operating mechanism in addition to providing an exposed element for the manual operation of the latch. In both forms of the latch mechanism, the exposed portion or portions of the actuator are flush with the outer surface of the door so as to preserve the streamlined surface. In addition, the joints between the actuator and door are sealed by the engagement of unexposed surfaces so as to be weather-tight and operable in adverse weather conditions. In each latch mechanism the disposition of parts is such that the latch bolt is firmly held in the holding position so that jolts and vibration cannot provide an undesired release of the latch. Both latches may be quickly operated and each remains in the position: to which it: is last operated until that:

position isy manually changed'.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modications may be mad'ei Without departing from the spirit of theY 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 within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what` I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

1. A latch mechanism comprising, in combination, a base including mounting flange portions and supporting flanges, said'base having an opening therein between the supporting ilanges, ay latchy actuator rotatably secured to the basebetween the supporting ilanges for limited SwingingA movement about a fixed axis, said actuator having manually operable actuating portions on oppositev sides of the said axis of swinging movement therefor, one or" said actuating portions extending through saidopening in the base,` alatch bolt rotatablyV secured to the-base by a support pin for swinging movement between holding andy retractedpositions, a link rotatably connected to the actuator and to 'the latch boltl at` positions such that the axes of the rotatable connecions to the link are substantially aligned with the axis ofrswinging movement of the actuator when the latch bolt-is in said holding position, a compression spring having one end anchored to'said support pin and its other end connected to the actuator at a position such that the action line o1- the spring crosses a line between the anchored end of the springV and the axis of, swinging movement of the actuator whereby said:

actuator isbiased toward the limit of swingingV movement to which it was last operated.

2. In a latch mechanism adapted for mounting ush with the-outer surface of a door of an airplane or the like having adjacent openings. for the accommodation of partsA of a latch actuator, the combination comprising a base having an opening therein smaller than one of the openings 5 in the door and mounted on the inner surface ofk the door adjacent said one of the openings and providing an inner sealing flange, a latch actuator havingfoppositely lextending end-portions r for op-l erating; the: mechanism to. holding andv retracted positions,l onef ofi said. end. portions extending through said, openingE in the base. and having means thereon', fitting;` intosaid fone: of: the openings in the door. in;- flush relationship to the outer surface. ofthe door,y and engaging said inner*r sealingange; inone position. of the latch actuator; the other` of, said end portions includimg ,a-.portion fitting into-r the' other of said openings imthedoor inffiush relatonship to the outer` surface ofthef door and having an edge sealingfiiange-engaging thelinner surface-0f the door inv-said. onev position ofi the latch actuator, andmeans rotatably-connecting thef latch actuator to-said base intermediate said extending end portionsffor-fswinging-`r movement of said endportions towardand fromithe-openings, in thefdoor,

ARNOLD F. GANDER.

REFERENCES CITED'V Thesrfollowing referencesare ofrecord in the file of this patent:

OTHER REFERENCES Publication Quick- ,Release Fasteners on GermaneAircraft, published-by the Royal-Aircraft Establishment (19431)., (pages 1 and2 and Fig. 3).

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