US1530507A - Door latch - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1925. N. F. MATTESON DOOR LATCH Filed Feb. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet L March 24, 1925. 1,530,507

N. F. MATTESON DOOR LATCH F iled Feb. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIQQ.

6H0: Incl tracted so that oftentimes a Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

*UNITQE'DIYSTFATE'S NELSON FLOYDEZMATTESON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

' noon LAToH.

Application filed February 27, 1922. Serial No. 589,491.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NnLsoN FLOYDE Mar TESON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at WVashington, in the Dis-- trict of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Latches, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in latches for doors,

particularly serviceable in connection with the swinging doors of automobiles.

In the usual forms of latches for automobiles doors, a sliding bolt is normally spring projected and so held until manually repersons clothing is torn on the projecting bolts when getting in and out of an automobile. In addition to this, these projecting latch bolts prevent ready closing of the door, and in order to effect latching of the door in closed position, the door must be slammed or swung closed with considerable force to overcome the action of the spring which projects the sliding bolt and cause the bolt to be forced to retracted position by engagement of a beveled face of the bolt with the keeper.

This forceful closing of the door causes,

considerable annoying jars and undesirable loud noise.

It is the primary vention, to provide doors of the spring wherein a provision object of the present ina latch for automobile projected bolt type is manually moved to its retracted position,

which means is automatically releasable bythe door in closing for permtitthe jar of ting the retracted bolt to be projected for engagement with the keeper.

' nother object of the invention is to provide for retention of the bolt in retracted position subject to impact of a jar in closing the door, either in a partially retracted positionedor in a position whereby the" retracted at a predetermined positioned b'etween the projected and completely retracted positions.

is made for automatical-- ly retaining the bolt retracted when the same being released upon the VVith-the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of better understood, the invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the views.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective inside view of an automobile doorpartly broken away, equipped with a latch constructed in accordance with the present invention, 7 V

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the latch h0wn. in Figure 1 with port-ions of the latch handle removed,

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 2 looking to the right of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line'IV-'IV of Figure 2,

.Figure 5 is atop plan view' shown in Figure 2, V

Figure 6 isa -substantially central horiz ontal sectional view of the device shown of the device in Figure 2, with the bolt completely re-' tracted,

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the bolt retaining member of the latch shown in Figure 2,

'Figure 8 is another the device shown in Figure ferent side thereof,

'Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified form of the invention Figure 10 is a'view similar to Figure 6 of the device shown in Figure 9 with the bolt projected,

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the latch shown in Figure 9 with the bolt partially retracted, and

Figure 12 is a'view'similar to Figure 11 with the bolt completely retracted.-

Referring-'rnore in detail to the several views, andiparticularlyto Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the present invention is shown embodied in a door latch of the sliding bolt type wherein a two part casing is provided embodying a relatively large plate 5 having one end bent at right angles as at 6 or formed in this relation, the plate 5 being providedwith suitable corner openings 7 to admit screws 8 or the like for fastening perspective view of 7 taken at a difthe casing to the usual door 9 with the portion 6 of the plate flush with the vertical edge of the door which is free and the portion flush with the inner wall of the door which is usually covered with aheavy leather or the like as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The other memiber of the casing comprises a smaller somewhat pan shaped sheet metal member 10 with projecting lugs riveted in suitable openings in the plate members or attached to the member 5 in. any other suitable or well known manner so as to pro vide a bolt chamber 12 (see Figure 6) in which is positioned a horizontal sliding latch bolt 13 which is normally projected through an opening 1lin the plate portion 6 as shown in the several views for engagement with the usual keeper, (not shown) to hold the'door closed, by means of a spring 15. The bolt 13 is shown as slidably guided by means of a lug 16 thereon projecting through a horizontal elongated slot 17 in the casing member 10, and the bolt 13 also projects through a slot in the outer side of the member 10 so that the outer end of the bolt is edectively held against upward or downward lateral movement when projected or retracted.

The spring is shown as of the coiled type having its inner end suitably anchored to a post 18 rigid with the plate member 5 and having its outer end extended laterally and bearing against the outer wall of a slot 19 provided in a bolt 13 whereby said spring forcibly projects said bolt. This outer wall of the slot 19 is engaged as at 20 by the outer end of the spring 15, and said spring exerts a force in a direction to pro ject the bolt 13. The bolt is laterally tiltable inwardly and outwardly and will be forced laterally in a manner to be described, when entirely retracted, so as to engage behind the plate portion 6 as shown in Figure 6, automatically, when said bolt is completely retracted so that the bolt will remain completely retracted and out of the way in order that tearing of the clothing thereon will not occur. It is noted that the direction of movement of the bolt 13 laterally is the same as the direction of the movement of the door in opening so that when the door is closed the slight jar which occurs will cause lateral movement of the bolt in the opposite direction for aligning the bolt with the slot or opening 14 and allowing said bolt to be immediately projected into the keeper by spring 15. In this way there is noneed of forceful slamming of the door to effect latching of the same.

In order to permit manual retracting of the bolt 13, a vertical shaft 23 may be pivoted in suitable bearings 24 provided on the plate portion 5, which shaft is formed with a lateral extension at its upper end to provide a handle 26 and has alug or integral arm 26 extending laterally therefrom at its lower end portion, which arm 26 is disposed to engage the outer end of the bolt enlargement or lug 16 as shown in Figure 6, to play within the slot 19.0f said bolt. It will be apparent that upon rotation of the shaft 23 with a position so that the.

bolt is projected, the bolt 13 may be retracted to the position shown in Figure 6 by reason of the engagement of the arm 26 with the engagement 16 of said bolt, the bolt 13 being immediately automatically moved laterally to engage the plate member 6 when the bolt passes the inner edge of the adjacent wall of the opening 14:. The bolt is retained retracted until the door is closed, and when the latter occurs, the slight jar causes lateral movement of the bolt in the opposite direction so that the bolt and opening 14 are aligned andspring 15 immediately projects said bolt outwardly through the opening 14 to engage the usual keeper, not shown, for holding door closed.

its the end of the spring 15 which engages the bolt 13 is located outwardly of the transverse center and inwardly of the longitudinal vertical center of the bolt- 13, and the operating lug 26 engages the lug 16' inwardly of said transverse center and outwardly of said longitudinal center, the bolt 13 is naturally tilted laterally to engage behind the plate member 6, when completely retracted. It is obvious that where this par ticular relationship of parts is not found in bolts, spring means may be employed for laterally tilting the bolts.

It may often occur that, due to lackof care on the part of the person opening the door, the latch 13 may not be completely retracted to the position for permitting said.

latch bolt to engage behind the plate me-m her 6. Means is provided for retaining the bolt 13 retracted partially should this occur. For this purpose, the outer end of the bolt is provided with a lateral lug 27, preferably on its lower side, and adapted to be engaged by the head of a screw 28 carried by a laterally tiltable bolt retaining member 29 which is pivoted upon a horizontal axis by means of pins 30 adjacent to the plate member 6, the member 29 being normally tilted in a. direction to engage the head of the bolt 28 with the lug 27 by means of a spring 31 located in a suitable longi tudinal groove 32 provided in the inner face of the member 29. The relationship of the head of the screw 28 and the lug 27 is such as toprovide for engagement of these parts when the bolt is only partially retracted as shown in Figure 2, the bolt in this position, however, being sufficiently retracted to disengage from the keeper, (not shown). By adjusting the screw 28, the proper position of its head may be had should the rela- Hit) tive posit-ion of the latch and its keeper vary in connection with different doors or in con nection with any one door by the separation of the body part of the automobile under continuous use. In order to provide for this adjustment an opening 33 is provided in the plate portion 6 to admit a screw driver so that its shank may .be engaged with the kerf in the head of the bolt 28. v

The free end of the spring 31 is preferably engaged in the kerf of the head of an adjusting screw 3% carried by the free end of the member 29 so that when said screw 34 is adjusted relative to the member 29 the tension of the spring 31, may be regulated for giving a predetermined force to the movement of the member 29 in the direction wherein engagement of the head of screw of bolt 28 is had with the lug 27. The plate member 5 is provided with an opening 35 for the admission of a screw driver so as to adjust the screw 34% for regulating the tension of spring 31. The member 29 is operable by the jar of the door, when closing, for being swung against the action of the spring 31 to disengage the headot the bolt 28 from the lug 27 and to thereby permit projection of the bolt 13.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, the latch casing embodies a plate portion 5 with the end plate portion 6 extending at right angles thereto and provided with an opening 14. through which the bolt 13 is projected by means of the spring 15 as above described with respect to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the bolts 13" being provided with a guiding lug 16 engaged by an arm 26 of shafts 23 for retracting said bolt 13.

The construction of the latch shown in these figures is substantially the sameas above described with respect to Figures'l to 8 inclusive except that the means for retaining the bolt 13 in partially retracted position is slightlydifierent. In this form of the invention the bolt will automatically tilt laterally to engage behind the plate portion 6 when com: pletely retracted, and said bolt embodies the lateral enlargement 36 adapted to engage a sliding adjustable bolt retaining member 37 for holding the bolts 13 partially retracted as shown in Figure 11 should the operator of the latch fail to completely retract the same.

The member 37 comprises a sheetmetal position which is predetermined asthe best for retaining the bolt 13 partially retracted and disengaged from its keeper. Thehead of the adjusting screw 41 isaccessible at the plate portion 6 for being readily engaged by a screw driver so as to adjust the position of the bolt retaining member 37. By means of this construction the bolt 13 may be retracted so as to partially project through the opening 1a whereupon the bolt will tilt laterally for engaging its 13 inwardly and permit said bolt to be I immediately projected by spring 15.

It will be observed that none of the latch mechanism projecttrom the keeper-facing end of the latch when the door or' other object' to which the latch is attached is opened. The movement of the bolt to locked position when retracted is in a direction opposite to the movement of the door to closing position. In this way the bolt will acquire momentum upon the closing of the door and the stopping of the door will cause the bolt to move under said momentum sufficiently to disengage the bolt from its retaining means. In other words, there is a relative movement between the latch casing or the bolt-engaging means and the bolt when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement. The bolt remains retracted as long as the door is open and until the door is fully closed. The relative movement of the bolt and its holding device is relied upon entirely to cause the release of the bolt when in latching position and there are no parts of the mechanism which project outside the keeper-facing end of the latch. j

While I have shown my invention applied to a door and have so described it, it is understood that it may be applied to other objects having opening and closing movements where latches are serviceable.

It is believed that the construction and operation. as well as the advantages of the Hit] presentinvention will be imderstood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

The head of the screw 28 preferably frictionally engages the adjacent wall of the member 29 as shown in Fig. at so that accidental change in the adjustment thereof due to jars and the like, will not occur.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a latch for doors, a spring projected bolt, means to manually retract said bolt to door releasing position, means to auton'iatically retain the bolt retracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt for projection upon the occurrence of a jar through the sudden stopping of the door in closing, and means to automatically retain the boltpartially retracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt for projection upon the occurrence of jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted-position.

In combination with a spring irojected latch bolt and means to con'ipletely retract the same, of a casing including a plate portion through which the bolt is projected, and behind which the bolt is retractable when completely retracted, means to automatically laterally tilt sa d bolt to engage the same behind said plate portion when the bolt is completely retracted for holding said bolt so retracted releasably, said bolt being laterally movable in the opposite direction by the jar of the door in closing so as to automatically disengage the same from behind said plate portion and permit proj ection of the same, and jar releasable means for retaining the bolt in partially retracted position.

3. In combination with a spring projected latch bolt and means to completely retract the same, of a casing including aplate portion through which the bolt is projected and behind wh'ch the'bolt is retractable when completely retracted, means to automatically laterally tilt said bolt to engage the same behind said plate portion when the bolt is completely retracted for holding 7 said bolt so retracted releasably, said bolt being laterally movable in the opposite direction by the jar of the door in closing so as to automatically disengage the same from behind said plate portion and permit projection of the same, and jar releasable means for retaining the bolt in partially retracted position, said last named means being adjustable for retaining the .bolt partially re tracted in a predetermined pos tion between projected and completely retracted positions of the bolt.

4;. A door latch including a spring projected bolt, a casing for said bolt including a plate member through which said bolt is projectable, manual means for retracting the bolt inwardly of said plate portion, means to automatically tilt said bolt laterally when completely retracted inwardly of said plate portion whereby said bolt is held retracted, said last named means permit ting lateral yielding of the bolt in the opposite direction for release of the same through the occurrence of ajar caused by the door closing, and means for retaining the bolt partially retracted and from which the bolt is automatically releasable upon occurrence of such jar.

5. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, and wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted.

6. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot, and the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same dur-' ing retraction to dispose thebolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted.

7. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually re tracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot, and the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening inthe casing for holding the bolt retracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite end walls of the bolt slot.

8. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally pro ecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casin wherein a shaft is associated.

with the bolt for manually'retracting the jection upon the occurrence of jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held incompletely or partially retracted position.

9. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally project ing the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon 0c currence of a jar through suddenstopping of the door in closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft finger being atv opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dis pose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holdingthe bolt retracted, and means to automatically retain the bolt partiallyretracted providing for the automatic release of the bolt for projection upon the occurrence of jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

10. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot, the

points of engagement between the bolt, and

,spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of theboltfor canting the same during retraction to dispose'the bolt nose laterally of the} openin in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging oppo site end walls of the bolt slot, and means to automatically retain the bolt partially retracted providing for the automatic 'release of the bolt for'projection upon the occurrence ofjar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position. I

11. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associatedwith the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, a variably tensioned tiltable mem ber carriedby said casing, an adjustable device on the tiltable member, and an abutment formed on said bolt adapted to be engaged by the tension varying means for automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projection upon'the occurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

12.111 a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally project-v ing the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a re tracted position for projection uponoccurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the 'door in closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft. extending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft'finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt'for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, a

variably tensioned tiltable member carried by said casing, an adjustable device on'the tiltable member, and an abutment formed on said bolt adapted to be engaged by the ad- 'j-justable device for automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projection upon the occurrence'of a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

' 13. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt wherein a spring is associated'withthe bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein ashaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, said. bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft finger being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite end walls of the bolt slot, a variably tensioned tiltable member carried by said casing, an adjustable device on the tiltable member, and an abutment formed on said bolt adapted to be engaged by the adjustable device for auton'iatically retaining .the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projection upon the occurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasibly held in completely or partially retracted position.

14:. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a. latch bolt, wherein aspring is associated with the bolt for normally proj ecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a ar through sudden stopping of the door in closing, the points of engagement between the bolt, and spring and shaft being at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose laterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, adjustable means carried by said casing, and said bolt being constructed for cooperation therewith for automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projection upon the occurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

15. In a latch for doors, wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein a shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occursite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nosela-terally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, adjustable means carried by said casing, and said bolt being constructed for cooperz tion therewith for automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the autoi'nat-ic' release thereof for proj ect-io-n upon the occurrence of a jar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

16. In a latch for doors, wherein acasing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the boltfor normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, Whereina shaft is associated with the bolt for manually retracting the same, wherein the bolt is released from a retracted position for projection upon occurrence of a jar throughsudden stopping of the doorin closing, said bolt having a longitudinal slot therein, a finger carried by the shaft extending through the bolt slot,

and spring and shaft finger being'at. opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the bolt for canting the same during retraction to dispose the bolt nose latterally of the opening in the casing for holding the bolt retracted, the spring and shaft finger engaging opposite end walls of the bolt slot, adjustable means carried by said casing, and said boltbeing constructed for cooperation therewith for automatically retaining the bolt partially retracted and providing for the automatic release thereof for projection upon the occurrence of ajar whereby the bolt is releasably held in completely or partially retracted position.

17 In a latch for doors wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, wherein a spring is associated with the latch bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, and wherein manual means is provided for retract-ing the'bolt,

being disengaged from the casing by inertia at the time of 'a jar or the sudden stopping of the door during closing. 7

18. In a latch for doors wherein a casing incloses a latch bolt, whereina spring is associated with the latch bolt for normally projecting the nose of the bolt through an opening in the casing, wherein manual means is provided for retracting the bolt, said bolt during retraction thereof being laterally shifted, and a bolt engaging mem ber within the casing, the bolt during retraction being soheld by contact with either the casing or bolt engaging member and adapted to be released therefrom by momentum induced by a jar incident to the closing of a door,

19. In .a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with the latch member for moving the same to its locked position, means for moving the latch member to its retracted position, means for retaining the latch member in a retracted position, the latch member being released for movement to its locked position by momentum created by the sudden stopping of the door during closing.

20. In a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with the latch member for moving the same to its locked position, means for moving the latch member to a retracted position, means for retaining the latch member in a completely retracted position, and means for holding the latch member partially retracted, the latch member being moved from its complete or partially retracted position by momentum occasioned by a ar during the sudden stopping of the door in closing.

21. In a latch for doors, a latch member, a spring associated with the latch member for moving the same to its locked position, means for moving the latch member to a retracted position, means for retaining the latch member in a retracted position, and means for holding the latch member partially retracted, the latch member being moved from its partially retracted position by momentum of the means for holding the same partially retracted occasioned by a jar during the sudden stopping of the door in closing.

' 22. A latch, comprising a bolt spring pressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and means automatically engaging the bolt as soon as retracted from which the bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door or other object to be latched is arrested after its closing movement.

23. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and means automatically engaging the bolt as soon as retracted from which the bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door or other object to be latched is arrested after its closing movement, said relative movement being due entirely tothe inertia of the bolt or its holding means.

24. A latch, comprising a bolt spring pressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and means wholly removed from the keeper-facing end of the latch for automatically causing the engagement of the bolt with holding means as soon as retracted from which holding means the bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

25. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, and holding means which engages the bolt when retracted and from which the bolt is released solely by momentum when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

26. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, a holding device for the bolt, means Wholly removed from the keeperfacing end of the latch for moving the bolt into engagement with its holding means, said bolt being automatically released from its holding means by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door or other object to which the latch .is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

27. A latch, comprising a bolt springpressed to latching engagement with its keeper, means for disengaging the bolt from its keeper, means for tilting the bolt transversely to its longitudinal axis when retracted and which means is Wholly removed from the keeper-facing end of the latch, and means for holding the bolt in retracted position from which the bolt is released by a relative movement of the bolt and its holding means when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement. I

28. A latch, comprising a bolt, a spring normally tending to move the bolt into latching engagement with its keeper and which also serves to move the bolt in anotherdirection when retracted, means for retracting the bolt, and means for engaging the bolt when retracted from which retracted position the bolt is released solely by its momentum when the bolt reaches latch-engaging position with its keeper when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

29. A latch for doors mounted to open and close, comprising a bolt movable to latching position in a direction at an angle to the closing movement of the door, means for retracting the bolt, means for moving it slightly when retracted in a direction opposite to the closing movement of the door, and means for retaining the bolt in its retracted position from which position it is released by its momentum when the door or other object to which the latch is attached is arrested after its closing movement.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NELSON FLOYDE MATTESON.

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