US2604346A - Push-button unit - Google Patents

Description

y 22, 1952 E. L. ALLEN 2,604,346

PUSH-BUTTON UNIT Filed April 5, 1949 24 9 llllllllll 13 ,0

7 nun Z I l6 1/ l4 INVENTOR. WI {@1- 0W/A/ .4. 4445 EW if 147 TUENE Y5.

Patented July 22, 1952 PUSH-BUTTON UNIT Edwin L. Allen, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rudolph I. Schonitzer,

Cleveland, Ohio Application April 5, 1949, Serial No. 85,665

' 8 Claims.

This invention relates to door control mechanisms and more particularly to automobile door latch operating devices of the push-button type.

My invention is adapted for use with door control mechanisms in which a latch member is released by manual operation of a push-button to permit opening of the door. Such latch mechanisms and associated push-button operating devices are most commonly used in automobiles, refrigerators and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a push-button unit which is compact and rugged in construction, which may be easily as sembled and economically manufactured, which is convenient to use, and which is attractive in appearance. Another object is to provide a pushbutton latch operating device which can be easily and conveniently installed in and secured to an automobile door and which can be adjusted properly to engage with an associated latch mechanism.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of my improved push button assembly, reference being had to the accompanyable form and a supporting structure S, including a bezel 2, which supports and houses a pushbutton assembly generally indicated at 3. The handle I and push-button supporting structure S are preferably integral in construction to provide a rigid and strong unit and the parts are arranged in a manner to provide an attractive and pleasing appearance.

The door handle I, as shown, is designed particularly for use on the right front door, indicated at D in Figure 3, of an automobile. It is so proportioned that the push-button assembly 3 mounted within the bezel 2 can be naturally and easily actuated by the thumb when the handle is grasped. The inner surfaces of the handle are curved to fit snugly against the outer panel of the automobile door D (see Figure 3) and are secured thereto by means of a pair of lugs 4 having threaded holes 5 into which screws (not shown) are adapted to extend to draw the handle against the door structure. When so secured the push-button assembly extends. within the door to engage the operatin member of a latch mechanism, shown fragmentarily in Figure 3 and indicated at L. The latch mechanism per se may be any one of several well known types, and since it forms no part of my invention will not be further described herein. It is pointed out, however, that a suitable latch mechanism is described and claimed in the Rudolph I. Schonitzer Patent No. 2,094,413. 1

The push-button assembly includes a plunger having a tubular body I, a push-button member 8 capping its outer end, and adjustable means at its inner end to engage the latch operating mechanism L. The push-button or cover member 8 comprises a shallow cupped disc whose outer edge is crimped over, or otherwise suitably attached to, a radially outwardly extending flange 9 provided at the outer end of the plunger body I. The latch engaging means consists of a rod l0 having threaded engagement with a fixed nut [2 which is securely mounted, as by crimping, on an inwardly extending flange 13 at the inner end of the plunger 1. The effective length of the rod [0 can be regulated by turning the rod outwardly or inwardly of the nut l2 so that a greater or lesser length of rod extends beyond the inner end of the plunger. The rod can thus be easily adjusted to assume the position shown in Figure 3 Where its enlarged contactor head I I has the proper position in relation to the latch operating member L. When the push-button 8 is pushed inwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 the plunger 1 and rod l0 Will move to trip the latch mechanism and release the door.

The rod [0 is securely but releasably locked in adjusted position by means of a lock nut l5 which is carried 011 the rod Ill and can be tightened to lock rod l0 relative to fixed nut l2. A washer l4, having a function which will be explained later, is interposed between the lock nut l5 and the end of the fixed nut l2 and a lock washer 16 of conventional type is preferably interposed between the lock nut I5 and the washer M to prevent loosening of the lock nut.

The outer edge of flange 9 of plunger 1 (covered by the crimped over outer edge of push button member 8 as seen in Figure 3) has sliding movement within, and is guided by, spaced segmental arcuate guides l8 projecting inwardly from the bezel 2 and the body of plunger 1 is supported for sliding in and out movement by a retaining ring member [9, which is removably secured at the inner ends of guides l8 by screws 20 extending through holes in a pair of lugs 2|, which project from the retaining ring, and engaging tapped holes 22 at the ends of the guides 18 (see Figures 2 and 3). Disposed around the body of the plunger body 1 is a coil spring 23 which is compressed between the retaining ring [9 and flange 9 of the plunger and urges the plunger outwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, with the flange 9 abutting the shoulder at the'inner edge of the opening in bezel! and the button 8 lying within and projecting slightly beyond the bezel. In this position the inner end of theplunger I extends at least partially within the plunger guide opening 24 of retaining ring [9.

When the push-button is pushed inwardly the plunger body I rides through and is guided by the opening 24 of the retaining ring. In order to minimize friction, the guides iii are provided with spaced longitudinal ribs 25 extending along the inner faces of the guides l8 and projecting radially inwardly therefrom, as shown in end view in Figure 2, to act as ways and keep the flange 9 from contact with the rest of the guide surfaces. It will be noted that, to avoid confusion, the flange 9 is not'shown in Figure 2 but is clearly seen in Figured .The opening 24 of the retaining ring I9 is only slightly larger in diameter than the plunger 1 *so' as to provide proper guiding without excessive play and without binding.

In the installation of the door control mechanism in a door it is desirable to be able to handle the push-button plunger mechanism as a subassembly apart from the handle and supportingstructure S. Phis is accomplished by making the washer l4 larger than the plunger guide opening 24. in the retaining ring i9 whereby washer M will hold the retaining ring '19 and plunger 1 in assembled relation against the force of the coil spring '23. The push-button plunger subassembly is put together by placing the coil spring 23 and retaining ring l9 over the plunger body '1' andthen screwing the actuating rod in, on which is mounted the washer M, lock washer i6 and lock nut I5, into thenut l2. With this arrangement washer l4 prevents the coil spring from pushing the plunger and retaining ring apart and enables the push-button plunger sub-assembly to :be shipped and handled as a unit independently'of the handle I.

When the parts .are completely installed, as

shown, in Figure 3 with the rod H) locked in adjusted position by means of the lock nut l5,

the washer I4 abuts the nut l2 and is spaced an appreciable distance from the retaining'ring [9.

This spacing permits the edge of push-button 8 andfiange 9 to be spring held in contact with the bezel 2 except when the push-button is actuated. Maintaining this contact is desirable so that the bezel opening will normally be fully I closed and sealed by the push-button and so that anattractive appearance will be provided. It is insured by making the distance between the -washer'or: stop member I4 and the outer edge of flange '9 greater than the distance between the inner edge of the opening in the bezel 2 and the inner face IQ of retaining member l9.

It will also be noted that the length of the plunger body I exceeds the length of the guides l8 so that when the parts are assembled the inner end of the plunger will at all times ride within the'plunger guide opening 24 of the retaining ring l9, thus preventing the plunger from becoming mis-aligned and jamming against the retaining ring to block actuation of the push-button.

While Ihave described a preferred form of my invention in considerable detail it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made-without departing from the spirit of my invention or the teachings herein, and I do not,

therefore, wish to be limited in any manner other than bythe following claims.

I claim:

1. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a doorand' to coact with the latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and circumferentially spaced guides extending inwardly therefrom, a plunger. adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining member removably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said spaced guides, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adapted closely to receive and guide the plunger throughout its entire range of sliding movement, a push-button member at the outer end of said plunger, a spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member to urge said plunger toward the edge of said opening in said bezel, said bezel having a shoulder portion adapted to be engaged byand to limit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, and an actuatingrod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with the end thereof whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may be adjusted.

2. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact with the latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and circumferentially spaced guides extending inwardly therefrom, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said spaced guides, said retaining ring member having a plunger guide opening adapted closely to receive and guide the plunger throughout its entire range of sliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardly extending fiange at its outer end, a push-button cover member closing the outer end of the plunger, a coil spring fitting around said plunger and compressed between said flange and said retaining ring member to urge said flange against the inner edge of said opening in said bezel, said bezel having a shoulder portion adapted to be engaged by and to limit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, and an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with the end thereof whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may be adjusted.

3. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact with the latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and guides extending inwardly therefrom, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said guides, said retaining ring member having a guide opening adapted closely to receive and guide said lunger in its sliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardly extending flange at its outer end, a push-button cover member having its outer edge crimped over said flange to secure the cover to the plunger and to close the outer end thereof. a coil spring fitting around said plunger and compressedbetween said flange and said retaining ring member to urge said flange against the inner edge of said opening in said bezel with the push-button cover member lying substantially within the opening of said bezel, said inner edge of said opening being adapted to limit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, a threaded nut secured to the inner end of the plunger, and an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with said nut whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may be adjusted.

A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact with the latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure in cluding a bezel having an opening therein and a pair of guide members having cylindrically curved surfaces extending inwardly from the opposite sides of the bezel, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said guides, said retaining ring member having a plunger guide opening adapted closely to receive and guide said plunger in its sliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardly extending flange at its outer end, a push-button cover member having its outer edge crimped over said flange to secure the cover to the plunger and to close the outer end thereof, a coil spring fitting around said plunger and compressed between said flange and said retaining ring member to urge said flange against the inner edge of said opening in said bezel with the push-button cover member lying substantially within the opening of said bezel, said inner edge of said opening being adapted to limit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, a threaded nut secured to the inner end of the plunger, an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement therewith whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may be adjusted, and means for locking said actuating rod in adjusted position.

5. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and guides extending inwardly therefrom, a plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining member adapted to be secured to said supporting structure and to span the inner ends of said guides, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adapted to receive and guide the plunger in its sliding movement, a push-button member at the outer end of said plunger, a spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member to urge said plunger away from said retaining member, an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with the end thereof whereby the effective length of the actuating rod may be adjusted, and a stop member on said rod of greater outer dimension than said guide opening in said retaining member.

6. A push-button unit adapted to be secured to a door and to coact with the latch mechanism thereof comprising a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and a pair of cylindrically curved guide members extending inwardly therefrom, a tubular plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guides, a retaining ring member removably secured to said supporting structure and spanning the inner ends of said guide members, said retaining ring member having a plunger guide opening adapted closely to receive and guide said plunger in its sliding movement, said plunger having a radially outwardly extending flange at its outer end, a push-button cover member having its outer edge crimped over said flange to secure said cover to said plunger and close the outer end thereof, a coil spring fitting around said plunger and compressed between said flange and said retaining ring member to urge said ill flange against the edge of said opening in said. bezel with the push-button cover member lying substantially within said opening, said edge of said opening being adapted to limit movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring, a threaded nut secured to the inner end of the plunger, an actuating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with said nut whereby the efiective length of said actuating rod may be adjusted, and a washer member on said rod of greater outer dimension than said guide opening in said retaining ring and disposed inwardly of said retaining ring member.

7. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure including a bezel having an opening therein and guide members extending inwardly therefrom, a plunger adapted to have sliding movement within said guide members, a retaining member adapted to be secured to said supporting structure and to span said guide members, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adapted to receive and guide said plunger in its sliding movement, a push button member at the outer end of said plunger, a coil spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member to urge said plunger away from .said retaining member, an actu ating rod extending inwardly from the plunger and having threaded engagement with the inner end of said plunger whereby the effective length of said actuating rod may be adjusted, a stop member on said rod of greater outer dimension than said guide opening in said retaining member and disposed inwardly of said retaining member whereby engagement of said bezel by said push-button is permitted when said retaining member is secured in position on said supporting structure but whereby removal of said plunger from said retaining member is prevented when said retaining member and plunger are detached from said supporting structure, and lock nut means on said rod for securing said stop member in position on said rod and locking said rod in adjusted position.

8. In a push-button unit having a supporting structure, a plunger, a retaining member adapted to be removably secured to said supporting structure, said retaining member having a plunger guide opening adapted to receive and guide said plunger, a spring compressed between said plunger and said retaining member to urge said plunger away from said retaining member, an actuating rod extending from said plunger and having threaded engagement therewith whereby the effective length of said actuating rod may be adjusted, and a stop member on said rod of greater outside dimension than said guide opening in said retaining member, said stop member being held in engagement with said retaining member by the action of said spring when said retaining member is detached from said supporting structure.

EDWIN L. ALLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,664,576 Stuart et a1. Apr. 3, 1928 1,932,056 Weatherhead Oct. 24, 1933 2,094,413 Schonitzer Sept. 28, 1937 2,231,075 Lakin Feb. 11, 1941 2,234,810 Simpson Mar. 11, 1941

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