US2862379A - Door latch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2, 1958 J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 19, 1953 I INVENTOR.

JOHN P- SOHAFER BY De 2, 1958 J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2' IN VEN TOR. JOHN P. SOHAFER Filed Oct. 19, 1953 W ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1958 J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 19, 1953 INVENTOR.

JOHN R SCI-IAFER ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1958 I J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 19, 1953 INVENTOR.

JOHN R SGHAFER 4 r TOR/V5 rs 1958 J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

JOHN R SGI-IAFEI? 7010M, 7owvml fip z/ ATTORNEYS Filed Oct. 19, 1953 J. P. SCHAFER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Dec. 2, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 19. 1953 INVENTOR.

JOHN R SCHAFEI? BY MWM W fi/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2.86 .319 DOGR LATCH MECHANISM John if, schaifer, Danville, Calif. Application October 19, 1953, Serial No. 386,913 Qlaiais- 2. w t/ o This invention relates to a new and improved door latch mechanism and more specifically the invention relates to a unique reciprocable or push-pull type door latch.

Most of the more conventional door latch mechanisms in use today in residential as well as in commercial buildings are operated by manually turning the door knobs or handles to cause the latch mechanism to release from its keeper and to thereby permit the door to be pushed or pulled open. In such door installations it is necessary, therefore, for the operator to first rotate the knob or handle in a direction appropriate to cause the latch to release from its keeper and then to pull the door inwardly or push it outwardly to cause opening thereof, depending on how the door is hinged.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved door latch mechanism which completely eliminates the need t0 first rotate the door handle to release the catch prior to pushing or pulling the door to open position. More particularly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism of unique construction which may be operated to release and at the same time cause opening of the door simply by pulling inwardly or pushing outwardly on either one of the door handles in the direction of door opening. Thus, in any given installation an operator need only pull on the door handle if the door is hung to swing toward him, or push on the handle if the door is hinged to swing away from him to cause the mechanism to unlatch and the door to swing open.

The particular embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail comprises a tubular housing adapted to be mounted transversely through the door opposite the hinge side of the door, and in which are slidably' mounted first and second co-axially aligned tubes adapted to be reciprocated by means of door handles provided on their outer'ends at opposite sides of the door. The mechanism further comprises a door catch mechanism including a plunger reciprocably mounted to engage and dis-engage from a keeper provided on an adjacent door jamb. The plunger actuating means, which is connected to the first tube only, is adapted to release the catch plunger from its keeper when said tube is reciprocated Within its housing in the direction of door opening. Me ns for securely connecting or locking the first and second tubes together are provided whereby mannal reciprocation of either tube from either side of the door will cause simultaneous and corresponding reciprocation of the other tube. Thus, reciprocation of either handle from either side of the door in the direction of door opening, will, :by virtue of the connection between the first tube and catch plunger, cause the door to relea e and openvian y op rable m an p fe b y comprising a push-button plunger associated with the irst u s- W b pera d t n ock o d connec th flre sa 99-9 951 tubes f om 79,12? aao e w e eb th is 2,862,379 Patented Dec, 2 H258 second tube may be manually reciprocated independently of the first tube and consequently without causing operation of the catch plunger release mechanism. In short, the arrangement is such that when the pushbutton is operated to disconnect the first and second tubes the door will remain locked in closed position to the extent that re- Cipro-cation of the second tube through manual operation of the door handle associated therewith will not cause release or withdrawal of the plunger catch from its associated keeper.

Another principal object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a push-button door latch of the type briefly mentioned hereinabove and which incorporates simplified manually operable means on one side of the door for locking the door in closed position against opening the door from the opposite side through manipulation of the door handle provided on said side. The construction is such, however, that the door may be unlatched either by a turn-key mechanism provided on the side of the door opposite the push-button lock, or, alternatively, the door can be unlatched from the push-button side simply by pushing or pulling in the normal operating direction on the door handle on this side to cause the push-button lock to be rendered inoperative.

It is also an object and advantage of the invention to provide a door latch mechanism of the character briefly referred to hereinabove which is of universal applicability to various door installations insofar as it may be installed to provide a push-pull latch assembly in which the operating stroke thereof, in relation to a given side of the door, can be made either push or pull, depending on the side on which the door is hung and upon its direction of opening. I

Further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corre sponding pa rts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the latch mechanism with the parts arranged for installation in a door adapted to swing open in adirection away from the side of the door on which the push-button lock is located, and further showing the actuating tubes connected and with the plunger catch extended. D

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 but showing the catch plunger and its associated actuating parts retracted position. l i

i h Same a Fi b show ae the Pu button mechanism moved to a position to disconnect the tubes. 1

e 4 is ong tudinal sec ona i w of e mechanism with its parts arranged for installation in a door adapted to be swung open in a direction toward the pushbutton side of the door, and further showing the tubes connected and with the plunger catch in extended position. v V I Fig. 5 is the same as 4 bnt showing the catch plunger and its associated actuating parts in retracted position.

Fig. 6 is the same as Fig. 4 but showing the push-button mechanism moved to a position to disconnect the tubes.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view i perspectiye of the tubes shown in exploded relationship.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of the tubes in normal assembled relationship.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective .view of the plunger catch mechanism and tubular latch housing in exploded relationship.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken .on line 10-5-10 of 3 w t c rta n pa tsomitted- Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 1313 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the push-button mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a preferred type of keeper.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the rocker arm cam and cam follower assembly.

Fig. 17 is a sectional View taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the bell crank assembly for operatively connecting the plunger catch and latch assembly.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the particular embodiment of the door latch mechanism disclosed is shown as comprising generally: a housing assembly, indicated generally at A; a door handle and operating tube assembly, indicated generally at B; a plunger catch assembly, indicated generally at C; a pushbutton lock assembly, indicated generally at D; and a key actuated unlocking assembly, indicated generally at E.

The housing assembly heretofore designated generally at A comprises, more specifically, a tubular housing 20 which is adapted in an installation to be secured within a suitably proportioned aperture 21 extending through the thickness of the door 22 and inwardly of the door edge opposite the hinged side of the door. The housing 20 may be secured to the door by means of rosettes, 23a and 2311, the latter being adapted for threaded engagement with housing 20. The rosettes may be firmly clamped to opposite sides of the door structure by one or more machine screws 24.

For purposes of convenient explanation with reference to the drawings, some of the elements comprising the mechanism will sometimes be designated as being located relatively toward the upper or lower areas of the assembly. It'is understood, however, that the areas so designated would, in the usual installation, be disposed in a horizontal plane relatively inboard or outboard with respect to the latch side or edge of the door.

The lower (outboard) central area of the housing is formed with an elongated rectangular slot 26 through which portions of the plunger catch assembly C may project into engagement with the tube assembly B as will hereinafter more fully appear. The housing is formed with two pairs of transverse registering apertures 29 and 31 respectively for receiving transverse pins 32 and 33 respectively.

The door handle and tube assembly, heretofore indicated generally at B, comprises, more specifically, a pair of latch actuating members, such as tubes 34 and 36, proportioned to slidably reciprocate within housing 20. Handle or knob 37 is provided on the outer end of tube 34, whereas knob or handle 38 is provided on the outer end of tube 36the handles 37 and 38 providing a convenient means for manually reciprocating the tubes 34 and 36 within housing 20.

Referring specifically to Fig. 7 it is observed that a slot 39 is formed to extend longitudinally from the inner bottom edge of tube 34 and is adapted to slida ly accommodate a corresponding integral projecting stem 41 extending outwardly from the lower inner edge of tube 36. Similarly, the upper inner edge of tube 36 is formed with an elongated slot 42 for slidably receiving a correspond ingly proportioned stem 43 extending outwardly from the inner edge of tube 34. The lower projecting stem portion 41 of tube 36 is formed with a pair of spaced rectangular apertures indicated at 44 and 46 respectively. As will more fully hereinafter appear, one of these apertures is adapted to be engaged by an arm of bell crank 47 of the catch plunger assembly Cthe particular aperture 44 or 46 engaged by the bell crank being dependent upon the particular way the catch assembly is mounted to housing 20 to meet particular door installation requirements as will be explained hereafter. It is noted at this point, however, that in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the catch assembly C is secured to the housing so that bell crank 47 is engaged with slot 44 of stem 41. In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the catch mechanism C is installed in inverse position and with bell crank 47 engaging slot 46 of stem 36.

Tubes and 36 are also each formed with a pair of registering elongate slots 48 and 49, respectively. Slots 48 are adapted to slidably receive transverse pin 32, whereas slots 49 are similarly adapted to accommodate transverse pin 33. As will more fully appear, the lengths of the slots 48 and 49 determine the extent of permissible reciprocal movement of the tubes within housing 20. Tube 36 is also formed with registering apertures 51 for accommodating push button spring stop pin 52. Latch detent engaging slot 53 is formed through the upper surface of tube 34 adjacent the base of stem 43. Explanation concerning the function of slot 53 will be made hereinafter.

The plunger catch mechanism heretofore designated generally at C comprises more specifically a housing 54 slidably encasing plunger catch 55. Slotted transverse partition 56 is securely mounted within the base portion of housing 54. Spring 57 disposed between partition 56 and the inner end of plunger functions to normally bias said plunger to its extended position as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, for example. The plunger actuating mechanism for withdrawing the plunger catch into its retracted position (as shown in Figs. 2 and 5) may comprise an actuating bar 58 anchored as at 58a to the plunger catch, and extending longitudinally of housing 54 through the slotted opening of partition 56. The inner end of bar 58 may be bent perpendicularly to establish a hooklike member 59 engageable by arm 61 of bell crank 47. Bell crank 47 is pivoted as at. 62 to partition 56.

The base end of housing 54 may be provided with a pair of projecting lugs 63, proportioned to project within slot 26 formed in housing 20 adjacent opposite ends thereof when the catch mechanism is assembled to housing 20. The purpose of lugs 63 is to insure against possible rotation of assembly C with respect to housing 20, when these mechanisms are assembled to one another.

The plunger catch 55 is formed with a usual flat keeper engaging face 55a adapted to be positioned facing in the direction of door opening. Although the latch mechanism may be employed with various types of keepers which may be installed in an associated jamb of the door frame, I prefer to employ the type of keeper shown in Fig. 15 which includes a rectangular plunger receiving opening 100, the door opening side of which is defined by a rotatably mounted bearing 101 adapted to be engaged by flat face 55a of the plunger. The purpose of bearing 101 is to reduce to a minimum frictional engagement between the plunger and its keeper, when said plunger is withdrawn from the keeper upon unlatching of the door.

The push-button lock assembly heretofore designated generally at D is shown as comprising a push-button 64 slidably mounted within tube 36. Actuating bar or carriage 66 comprising a U-shaped channel piece, is securely anchored as at 67 and extends inwardly longitudinally of the tube 36. Bar 66 is provided with a pair of spaced upwardly projecting flanges 68 against which one end of push-button spring 69 can be permitted to bear to facilitate assembly of the push-button mechanism within tube 36. Rocker arm '71 is pivotally supported as at 72 adjacent the outer end of channel bar 66. The underside of the forward end of rocker arm 71 is formed with two substantially identically formed notches 73 and 74, each of which are porportioned to hook over and engage transmovement of the other tube.

verse pin 32 when the push-button assembly is actuated in a manner to be later described.

The detent mechanism which operates to connect and disconnect tubes 34 and 36 relative to one another, comprises arcuate support member 76 which is securely attached to the interior of tube 36 against relative reciprocal movement with respect to said tube. The forward end of support 76 is provided with a depending circular vertically slotted face piece 77, through which the forward end of rocker arm 71 extends. Slidably mounted to the rearward surface of face piece 77 is a detent '78, the upper end of which projects through slot 79 formed through support 76, into normal registry and engagement in slot 53 formed through tube 34 adjacent the base of stem 43, as aforesaid. Detent 78 is slotted as at 83 to slidably receive projection 81 .provided on rocker arm 71. Flat spring 82 secured at one end to the under side of support 76 and having its other end projecting through slot 83 formed in detent 78 functions to nor rnally spring bias the detent upwardly into engagement with slot 53 of tube 34. When the detent is engaged with slot 53 tubes 34 and 36 are, as a consequence, locked or connected to one another, whereby reciprocation of either of the tubes from either side of the door will cause corresponding arm 71 and the'slotted edge 84, the said rocker arm will 7 move with one of its inclined cam-follower surfaces 86a or 86b in slidable contact with cam edge 84 to impart a corresponding upward rocking movement to the arm 71. Rocking movement of arm 71 in turn will cause engagement anddisengagement"ofdetent 78 with slot 53 formed in tube 34. w v H Hook-shaped flat spring 87 supported in the channel recess of actuating bar 66 .is arranged vwithits free end engaging the underside of the rearward end 88 of rocker -arm 71. Thus, the upward spring .force exerted on end 88 of the rocker arm functions to maintain the cam follower surfaces of V-shaped slot 86 in slidable contact with camtedge 84 of faceplate 77. v

- The push-button assembly, comprising button 64, ac-

tuating bar .66, and the rockerfarm .assembly 71, is slidably reciprocably mounted within tube .36 for movement from an extended position '(such as shown in Figs. 1 2, 4 and 5) to a retracted position (such as shown in Figs. 3 and 6). Push-button spring 69 is mounted bebetweensaid push but-ton and vertical pin 52 and functions to normally spring bias push button 64 and its relatedv assembly outwardly to extended position.

The key actuating assembly, heretofore vdesignated generally at E, may be of conventional construction. Preferably, the mechanism E comprises a key actuated rotatablyimounted cam bar 91 which, upon rotation of a key (not shown) inserted in key opening 92, will rotate toengage the underside of carn follower bar 93 provided on the forward end of rocker arm 71. As will more fully appear, key mechanism E provides a means for disengaging eitherof the rocker arm notches 73 or 74 from engagement with transverse pin '32.

Theloperation of the above described latch mechanism willnow be explained. Fig. 1 discloses the mechanism fully assembled and with the plunger catch mechanism C mounted to'housing with arm 47 of the bell crank engaged within slot 44 of tube 36. This manner of assembly would be used in installations where the door swings open in a direction .awayfrom the push button sideof the door. 'The'arrangement of parts is such that either pushing on doorknob 38 or pulling handle 37 in the direction of door opening Will cause the catch plunger :55. to retra'ct :and disengage from its-keeper and to rhereby permit the "door to be swungtopen.

In 'rn'ore 'detailyand still referring particularly to Fig. 1, -it is'observed that pushbutton 64, under influence of spring 69,. is in normal extended position. When the push button occupies its extended position, the apex of V-shaped notch 86 will be disposed rearward ly rof'cam edge 84 "defined by the slotted opening in face plate 77, and the outer extremities of cam follower surface 86b will be in contact with said cam edge "84. As a consequence, the forward end of rocker arm 71, including projection 81, will be maintained in raised position and with slots 73 and 74 disposed above the horizontal plane of transverse pin 32. Moreover, in this position detent 78, under influence of fiat spring 82, is spring biased upwardly into registry and engagement with slot 53 formed in tube 34. As previously mentioned, when the parts are in this position the detent 78 functions to connect :br lock the two actuating tubes 34' and 3'6 tbgethe'r. Hence, reciprocal movement imparted to either ofthe tubes in the direction of door opening through manipulation- "of eitherof the door handles 37 or 38 will cause joint reciprocal movement of both tubes and consequent operation of the catch mechanism to its retracted position. More specifically, movement of tube 36 to the right will, through operation of bell crank 47, having one arm engaged in slot 44 of tube 36 and its other arm engaged with catch plunger actuating bar 59, cause withdra'w'al "of catch plunger '55 to its retracted position 30 against the force of spring 57. In this regard, Fig. 2 discloses the relative positions of the parts when the tube "36 has been reciprocated to the right either by pulling on handl'e'37 or pushing inwardly on handle 38 to cause unlatching of the plunger catch from its keeper.

If "it is desired to lock the door from the push button side (inside) of the door to prevent the mechanisrn'from "being unlatchedth'rough manipulation of the door handle '37 ion the outside of the door, an operator need only f push inwardly against push button 64. Inward reciprocation of the push bu'tton in this fashion operates to disconnect tubes 34 and 36 from one another whereby re- ,ciprocation of handle 37 andassociated tube 34 can occur independently of reciprocal movement of tube 36 v and without causing operation of plunger catch mechanism C which is operatively connected only to tube 136 by engagement of bell crank 47 with slot 44 formedin said tube 36, as aforesaid. More specifically, when push- .button 64 is pushed inwardly the entire push-button assembly, including carriage 66 and rocker arm 71 pivotally mounted on the carriage, will move correspond- 1 ing'ly inwardly the same distance and to a point whereat notch 73 is in vertical alignment with pin 32. Moreover, inward movement of the carriage and rocker arm will be *relative to camedge '84 formed on face plate 77- the face plate being supported by tube 36 which does not, in the instance mentioned, reciprocate correspondingly to the movement of the push button assembly, This being so, inward movement 'of rocker arm 71 will result in cam face follower surface 86b sliding over cam edge 84 to a point whereat cam edge 84 bears against the apex of the V-shaped notch 86. It is observed that when the rocker arm has moved forwardly to a point whereat cam edge 84 engages the apex of notch 86 the entire forward end of rocker arm 71, under influence of hook-shaped spring .87, will swing downwardly and to a point whereat notch 73 hooks over and engages transverse pin 32, as shown in Fig. 3.

Downward swing of the forward end of rocker arm '71 will also, by virtue of the engagement of rocker arm projection 81 in aperture 83 of detent 78, cause said detent to move downwardly against force of fiat spring 82 i and out of engagement with slot 53 formed in tube 34. The relative positions of the parts when the push button has been actuated in the above described fashion is shown in Fig. 3. It will be understood that when the latch mechanism is in push-button locked condition that tube 34 is free to reciprocate back and forth within housing 20 (within thelimits of movement determined by the length of slot 48 through which transverse'pin 32 proshown in Fig. 3 may be accomplished by either one of two ways. The locking mechanism may be released from the push button side of the door merely by pushing inwardly on hande 38 to cause tube 36 supporting cam edge 84 to also move correspondingly inwardly against cam follower surface 86b. Movement of cam edge 84 against surface 86b will cam the rocker arm upwardly and cause slot 73 to disengage from transverse pin 32. Upon disengagement between notch 73 and pin 32, spring 69 will function to force the push button assembly to its normal extended position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Moreover, upward movement of the rocker arm also permits detent 78 to move upwards under force of fiat spring 82 into reengagement with slot 53 formed in tube 34, when said tube has been reciprocated to bring slot 53 into registry with the detent.

When the detent is reengaged with slot 53, tubes 34 and 36 are connected together and reciprocation of either tube will therefore cause actuation of plunger catch mechanism C to its retracted position as herinabove explained.

The latch mechanism may also be released from its push button lock position as shown in Fig. 3 by means of the key assembly E provided on the outside of the door.

. In this connection turning of the key within key opening 92 will cause cam bar 91 to revolve upwardly into engagement against cam follower bar 93 of the rocker arm and in this manner will forcefully raise rocker arm notch 73 from engagement with transverse pin 32.

Figs. 4, and 6 are substantially the same as Figs. 1, 2 and 3, to which particular reference has heretofore been had, except that Figs. 4, 5 and 6 disclose the operation of the latch mechanism when the parts have been assembled as they would be in an installation where the door opens inwardly toward the push button side of the door.

More specifically, it is observed that the plunger catch mechanism C is assembled to housing 20 in a position turned 180 about its own axis from its position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. When thevplunger catch mechanism is assembled to the housing in this-position the bell crank arm engages with slot 46 formed through the underside of tube 36. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 it is observed that either pulling on handle 38 or pushing on handle 37 in the direction of door opening will cause the bell crank actuated plunger to retract (see Fig. 6).. In short, the operation of the latch mechanism under the latter described conditions are substantially identical to the operation and function of the device as previously described in detail, except that the direction of movements of the tubes is reversed to accomplish retraction of the plunger catch.

The manner of push button locking the latch mechanism against unlatching of the door through manipulation of handle 37 is also substantially the same as heretofore explained with regardto locking of the latch mechanism in its condition of assembly shown in 'Figs. 1; 2 and 3. In brief, inward movement of the push button will causecarriage 66 and rocker. arm 71 to move inwardly to a point whereat notch 74 of the rocker arm hooks over and engages transverse pin 32--the downward swing of the notched rocker arm occurring as a result of the cam follower surface 86b moving over cam edge 84. 'Downward movement of the rocker arm projection 81 also causes disengagement of detent 78 from tube 34 whereby reciprocation of the latter .will have no effect on the plunger catch mechanism C. Release of the push-button lock mechanism may be accomplished merely by pulling outwardly on handle 38 .to cause cam follower edge 84 to move rearwardly relative to cam surface 86a and thereby -cam rocker arm notch 74 out of engagement with pin 32. Alternatively, the push-button lock mechanism may also be released by operation of the cylinder key mechanism E in the identical manner hereinabove described.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A push-pull type door latch mechanism comprising: a door catch movable from a latched to unlatched position; latch housing means adapted to be mounted with its longitudinal axis extending transversely through a door in the direction of its thickness; first and second elongate latch actuating members mounted for axial rectilinear reciprocal movement within and axially of said housing; said first latch actuating member connected to said door catch for moving said catch from latched to unlatched position upon reciprocation of said first member; means for releasably connecting said latch actuating members to one another for joint reciprocal movement together within said housing whereby reciprocation of either member will cause said catch to move'from its latched to unlatched position; and means associated with said last named means for disconnecting said members whereby reciprocal movement of said members within said housing can occur independently of one another and whereby reciprocal movement of said second member will not operate said. catch to unlatched position.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said means for disconnecting said first and second latch actuating members includes push-button operated means operably associated with said first member.

3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said first and second latch actuating members comprise first and second coaxial tubes mounted reciprocably in said hous- 4. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said first and second latch actuating members comprise first and second coaxial tubes, and wherein said means for connecting said latch actuating tubes comprises a detent carried by one tube and engageable with the other tube.

5. A push-pull type door latch mechanism comprising: a tubular housing adapted to be mounted with its 1ongitudinal axis extending transversely through a door; first and second co-axial tubes mounted for axial rectilinear reciprocal movements within and axially of said housing; first and second handles respectively connected to said first and second tubes adjacent opposite ends of said housing; a door latch mechanism including a reciprocal plunger mounted for movement from an extended to retracted position; plunger actuating means connecting said first tube with said plunger for reciprocating said plunger from extended to retracted position upon reciprocation of said first tube within said housing; means for releasably connecting said first and second tubes together for joint reciprocal movement together within said housing whereby manual reciprocation of either tube will cause operation of said plunger actuating means; and means associated with said last named means for disconnecting said first and second tubes whereby reciprocation of said second tube can occur independently of reciprocation of said first tube and without causing operation of said plunger actuating means.

6. A push-pull type door latch mechanism comprising: a tubular housing adapted to be mounted transversely 9 through a door; first andsecond co-axially aligned tubes slidably mounted for axial rectilinear reciprocal movement in said housing; first a sid second'handles provided respectively on the outer endsof said first and second tubes adjacent opposite ends of's'aid housing; a door catch mechanism including a; plunger mounted for reciprocal movement from an extended position to a retracted position; resilient means normally urging said plunger to its extended position; plunger actuating means connected to said first tube arranged to'retract said plunger when said first tube is reciprocated slida-bly within said housing in a first direction; tube locking means for releasably connecting said first and second tubes together for joint corresponding reciprocal movementof said first and second tubes together within said housing; manually operable means associated with said first tube and with said tube locking means for disconnecting said tubes whereby said second tube may be reciprocated independently of said first tube and without. retracting said plunger. T

7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said tube locking means comprises a detent carried by said first tube engageable with said second tube.

8. A push-pull type door lach mechanism comprising a tubular housing adapted to be mounted transversely through a door; first and second latch actuating tubes mounted for axial rectilinear reciprocal movement within and axially of said housing, adoor catch movable from a latched to unlatched position; said first tube connected to said door catch. for moving. said catchzfrom. latched to unlatched position upon reciprocation: of saidl first. tube in the direction. of. door openi'ngr releasable meansnormally connecting said first and second tubes to one another for joint reciprocal movement together within said housing, whereby reciprocation of either tube in the direction of door opening will cause said catch to move from its latched to unlatched position; means comprising a push-button assembly carried by said first tube and connected with said last named means for disconnecting said first and second tubes, whereby reciprocal movement of said second tube will not operate said catch to unlatched position.

9. A push-pull type door latch mechanism comprising a tubular housing adapted to be mounted tranversely through a door; first and second coaxially aligned latch actuating tubes mounted reciprocally within said housing; a door catch movable from a latched to unlatched position; said first tube connected to said door catch for moving said catch from latched to unlatched position upon reciprocation of said first tube in the direction of door opening; a detent reciprocably mounted on said first tube engageable with said second tube normally connecting said first and second tubes to one another for joint reciprocal movement together within said housing whereby reciprocation of either tube in the direction of door opening will cause said catch to move from latched to unlatched position; a rocker arm carried by said first tube operably connected to said detent and movable swingably from a first position to a second position to cause said detent to disengage from said second tube whereby movement of said tubes within said housing can occur independently of one another; and means including manually operable means disposed adjacent the outer extremity of said first tube for actuating said rocker arm from its first to second position.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said last named means comprises a cam carried .by said first tube and a push-button assembly pivotally supporting said rocker arm and mounted slidably within said first tube for relative reciprocal movement with respect to said cam; said cam engageable with a cam follower provided on said rocker arm normally camming said rocker arm to its first position; said cam operable upon reciprocation of the push-button assembly inwardly of said first tube and relative to said cam follower to allow said rocker arm 10 to move from its first to second position and to cause said tubes to disconnect from one another.

11. The combination of claim 10 which further comprises means carried by said housing and extending interiorly of said second tube; means associated with said rocker arm engageable with said means carried by said housing forreleasably locking said rocker arm in its second position; and means comprising said cam and cam follower to move said meansassociated. with said rocker arm out of locking engagement with respect to said means carried by said housin'g.

12. A push-pulltype door latch: mechanism comprising. a tubular housing adapted to be mounted transverse- 13 through a door; first'and secondco-a'xial tubes mounted'reciprocally withinisaidhousin'g, adoor catch movable from a latched to unlatched position; said first tube connected to said door catch for moving said catch from latched to unlatched positioniupon'reciprocation of said first tube in the direction of door opening; a detent reciprocably mounted on said first tube releasably engageable with said second tube for connecting said tubes to one another forjjointfreciprocal movement within said housing, whereby tecijprocationof either tube in the direction of door opening: will: cause said catch to move from latched to unlatched position; first spring means normally biasing said idetenti'into engagement 'with said second tube; a. push-buttonz assembly including a rocker arm carriage reciprecab-ly slidably mounted within said first tube; a rocker arm'pivotally mounted to and carried by said carriage; saidrocker arm-.operably connected to said detent and movable. swingably'from a first position to a second position to cause said detent'to reciprocally disengage.from--said.-second-.-tube against theforce of said first spring means; second spring means biasing said rock-- er arm toward its second position; a cam carried by said second tube engageable with a cam follower carried by said rocker arm normally camming said rocker arm to its first position against the force of said second spring means; said cam operable upon inward reciprocable movement of said push-button assembly within said first tube in engagement with said cam follower to allow said rocker arm to swing to its second position under influence of said second spring means; and means for releasably locking said rocker arm in its second position independently of reciprocation of said second tube within said housing.

13. The combination of claim 12 and wherein said last named means comprises a pin supported by and extendmg transversely of said housing through slotted apertures formed through said second tube and engageable by a notch formed on said rocker arm when the latter occupies its second position.

14. The combination of claim 13 which further comprises key actuated means carried by said second tube and engageable with said rocker arm for moving said rocker arm notch. out of locking engagement with said pin.

A push-button type door latch mechanism, comprising: a plunger catch assembly including a reciprocal plunger movable from an extended to a retracted position adapted to engage and disengage with respect to an associated door keeper; said plunger having a longitudinally disposed keeper engaging face adapted to be positioned facing the direction of door opening; said assembly including plunger actuating means operably connected to said plunger for reciprocating said plunger from extended to retracted position; at least one reciprocal actuating member adapted to be mounted transversely through a door perpendicular to the axis of said reciprocal plunger; connecting means associated with said actuating member engaging and operating said plunger actuating means upon reciprocation of said member in the direction of door opening; said connecting means comprising first means engageable with said plunger actuating means when said plunger catch assembly is positioned with the keeper engaging face of the plunger facing in a first direction of 11 door opening, and second means for engaging and operating said plunger actuating means when said assembly is positioned with the keeper engaging face of said plunger facing a second direction of door opening 180 opposite said first direction of door opening.

16. The combination of claim 15 and wherein said plunger actuating means comprises a bell crank operably linked to said plunger and wherein said first and second connecting means provided on said latch actuating member comprise first and second slots in said latch actuating member each shaped and proportioned to alternatively receive and engage an arm of said bell crank.

17. A push-pull type door latch mechanism comprising a tubular housing adapted to be mounted transversely of a door; first and second coaxially aligned actuating tubes mounted for reciprocal movement within said housing; a door catch assembly mounting a plunger catch for reciprocal movement from extended to retraced position; the axis of said plunger catch disposed perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said first and second tubes; said plunger catchhaving a keeper engaging face adapted to be positioned facing the direction of door opening; plunger actuating means disposed adjacent the base of said catch assembly operable to reciprocate said plunger catch from its extended to retracted position; first connecting means associated with one of said tubes arranged and located to engage and operate upon reciprocation of said tube in the direction of door opening said plunger actuating means when said catch assembly is mounted to a door with its keeper engaging surface facing in a first direction of a door opening; and second connecting means associated with one of said tubes arranged and located to engage and operate upon reciprocation of said tube in the direction of door opening said plunger actuating means when said assembly is mounted to a door with its keeper engaging surface facing in a second direction of door opening 180 opposite from said first direction of door opening.

18. The combination of claim 17 and wherein means are provided for releasably connecting said first and second tubes to one another for joint reciprocal movement within said housing whereby reciprocation of either tube in the direction of door opening will cause said plunger catch to reciprocate from its extended to' its retracted position; and wherein means associated with said last named means is provided for disconnecting said tubes whereby reciprocable movement of said second tube can occur independently of said first tube and without actuating said plunger catch to its retracted position.

19. The combination of claim 17 and wherein said plunger actuating means comprises a bell crank operably linked to said plunger and wherein said first and second connecting means provided on said first tube comprise first and second slots in said first tube each shaped and proportioned to alternatively receive and engage an arm of said bell crank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,087,193 Skinner Feb. 17, 1914 1,732,433 Darlington Oct. 22, 1929 1,991,822 Snipes Feb. 19, 1935 2,504,483 Abraham Apr. 18, 1950 2,529,230 Smith et a1 Nov. 7, 1950

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