Externally accessible adjuster for flush latches
AssigneeHartwell Corporation
InventorL. Richard Poe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An externally accessible adjuster, particularly suited for adjusting the tension of a keeper shaft as applied to a hook type latch forming a part of a flush type latch assembly, the keeper shaft being screwthreaded and receiving a screwthreaded wheel having a set of radiating slots exposed in sequence through an access opening formed in the wall of the structure utilizing the flush type latch assembly. Two embodiments are illustrated, either one of which may use an opening which may be arranged to receive the latch handle, or a separate opening; also, either adjuster may be arranged to utilize a helically coiled frictional element or a yieldable detent.
Claims5
The combination with a flush type latch structure mounted in a panel set flush in a surrounding surface structure, an underlying mounting means, and an access opening adjacent the mounting means, the latch structure including a handle member movable in a clearance opening between a flush position and an angular position with respect to the panel, and a latch arm, of an adjustable keeper assembly, comprising:
- a. a keeper element removably attached to the latch arm;
- b. a screwthreaded shaft extending from the keeper element;
- c. a guide means receiving the shaft and secured to the mounting means;
- d. a wheel screwthreaded on the shaft and axially restrained by the guide means, the wheel having a ring of radially extending slots accessible in sequence through the access opening by a turning tool, whereby the wheel may be turned to advance or retract the keeper and latch arm while interengaged, said wheel having internal screwthreads spaced from the screwthreads of said shaft;
- and
- e. frictional means for advancing or retracting the keeper and latch arm by rotating said wheel, said frictional means being positioned between said wheel and said internal shaft screwthreads.
The combination with a flush type latch structure mounted in a panel set flush in a surrounding surface structure, an underlying mounting means, and an access opening adjacent the mounting means, the latch structure including a handle member movable in a clearance opening between a flush position and an angular position with respect to the panel, and a latch arm, of an adjustable keeper assembly, comprising:
- a. a keeper element removably attached to the latch arm;
- b. a screwthreaded shaft extending from the keeper element;
- c. a guide means receiving the shaft and secured to the mounting means;
- d. a wheel screwthreaded on the shaft and axially restrained by the guide means, the wheel having a ring of radially extending slots accessible in sequence through the access opening by a turning tool, whereby the wheel may be turned to advance or retract the keeper and latch arm while interengaged, said wheel having internal screwthreads spaced from the screwthreads of said shaft;
- and
- e. helical coil frictional means for advancing or retracting the keeper and latch arm by rotating said wheel, said frictional means being positioned between said wheel and said internal shaft screwthreads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.