US2690481A - Switch for automatic safety locking devices and systems - Google Patents

Description

p 8, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,690,481

SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Filed March 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 28, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1949 n nun/ ylllllllllllllllll I/I/l/IIlI/I III/I/I/ll/lIl/InIII/lIll/l/IIIIII/Ill/II/ll/ 4 Sept. 28, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Filed March 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fMMZiZ Sept 8, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,690,481

SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Filed March 25, 1949 4 SheetsHSheet 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1954 uirso srrs SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEBIS Joseph F. Courtney, Oak Park, Ill.; Helen E. Courtney, executrix of said Joseph F. Courtney,

deceased 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic safety locking devices and systems, and is particularly concerned with such electrical systems and devices which may be employed for overriding the operation of any ordinary locking system of automotive vehicle doors to prevent the unauthorized entry from the outside or the unauthorized opening of the doors from the inside.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved electrical locking system and locking devices which may be controlled by the operator of an automotive vehicle to prevent the unauthorized entry into the vehicle of any persons from the outside, such as holdup men, and which is also adapted to prevent children from unlocking and opening the doors from the inside, which has in the past resulted in many children falling out of automobiles while in motion, resulting in their serious injury.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved automatic interlocking safety device which may be used to lock or unlock doors or other devices by remote control by means of a single remote switch button, which is to be actuated by the operator at will.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved electrical locking systems and devices which are of general application and may be used as a means of safety for interlocking remotely controlled electrical devices, machinery operations, truck doors, windows, gates, aircraft controls, etc.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems and locking devices which may be operated to control one or more sets of doors at the option of the operator, and which is also provided with a key tumbler lock to make the system inoperative by unauthorized persons, such as garage and parking lot attendants.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems and devices of the class described, which are simple, capable of economical manufacture with a minimum number of machine operations, permanently and automatically lubricated, sturdy, capable of easy installation, permanently enclosed and protected from unauthorized tampering and from the entry of dust, and which are adapted to be used for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement of any of their parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems and devices of the class described, which are provided with indicators for indicating whether they are looking or unlocking, and which are so constructed that rattling is prevented and the moving parts of the device are held in their actuated position and will not be moved by ordinary vibration or shock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking unit which utilizes a minimum amount of current, being actuated by a momentary impulse, and which is so constructed that the locking element will not be damaged by the closure of the door when the locking element is in the locked position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the four sheets of drawings accompanying the specification,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic sectional view of the electrical system, showing the latching arrangements in connection with the door in cross section, and including a wiring diagram for such an electrical system;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of a foot actuated switch used in the system;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the switch of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 4 t of Fig. 2, showing details of construction of the switch;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the rotatable switch member in end elevation on the plane of the line 6-8 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the ratchet Wheel in elevation, and taken on the plane of the line 'il of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 3, showing the details of construction of the housing, switch, actuating plunger, and the pawl;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the solenoid controlled latching unit which forms part of Fi 1;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view on the plane of the line i0lii of Fig. 9, showing the details of construction of the solenoid controlled latching unit;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the upper end of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, taken on the plane or" the line !2i2 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view, taken on the plane 3 of the line l3-l3 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line l4-l4 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a view in perspective of the latching member;

Fig. 16 is a view in perspective of the pivot bracket for the latching member of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the keeper.

Referring to Figure 1, this is a diagrammatic illustration of the wiring circuit and devices which make up the improved safety locking system embodying the invention. 20 indicates a solenoid controlled locking unit provided with a movable latching member 2|, and shown in connection with an automotive vehicle body frame 22 and door 23.

The present devices may be installed with the keeper 24 on the frame or on the door, the locking unit 20 being installed on the opposite member comprising the door or frame. For the purpose of illustration, the frame 22 has its edge adjacent the door provided with a circular aperture 25 for receiving the locking unit, the attaching flange 26 of which is secured to the frame by a plurality of self-tapping screw bolts 26.

The door 23 has its adjacent edge provided with an aperture 21, which may be round for ease in boring with ordinary tools, this aperture being covered by a keeper or striker plate 24, which has an elongated slot 28 for receiving the elongated latehing member 2 I.

The keeper 24 is secured in place by a plurality of self-tapping screw bolts 29, which pass through apertures in the keeper and are threaded into the edge wall of the door. The locking unit 20 preferably includes a pair of solenoid coils 30, ill, Figure 10, the common terminals of both coils being grounded, as will be further described, and the other terminals being connected to the conductors 32, 33 of the wiring diagram, Figure l.

The present system may be embodied in a grounded system which employs the frame as one of the conductors, or it may be embodied in a completely wired system, in which case an extra wire would be used instead of the ground. As illustrated, the system is energized by means of a battery 33, one terminal of which is connected to ground at 34 and the other terminal of which is connected to a conductor 35, which includes a line fuse 36 in series.

From the line fuse 36 the conductor 31 extends through a key-actuated tumbler barrel switch 38, so that the entire system may be made inoperative by turning and removing the key 39 to prevent its unauthorized use by garage and station attendants, or children in the front seat. When thus locked, by means of the key switch 38, the circuit is broken at this switch and the locking unit 20 will be maintained in the unlocked or locked condition, whichever the case may be at the time.

This is an important safety feature as it prevents the inadvertent actuation of the controlling switch until the operator uses the key, and if anyone should step upon the actuating switch it will not unlock the door as long as the switch 38 is on open circuit.

From the switch 38 a series conductor 40 extends to the two fixed contacts 4|, 42, carried by a switch housing and forming a part of the controlling switch, these contacts being joined together so that both are energized.

The controlling switch which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 43, includes a rotatable switch member 44 which has a movable contact member 45, with a plurality of arms 66, 47, 48 adapted to serve as bridging contact members for the momentary closure of the circuit.

The switch housing also supports a pair of fixed contact members 49, 50, which are connected to the coils of the locking unit 20 for controlling the locking unit. Conductor 5| extends from contact 49 to conductor 33 which leads to one of the coils. Conductor 52 extends to the other conductor 32 leading to the other coil terminal.

In order to indicate the momentary energization of the locking unit 20, the conductors 5i and 52 are extended and connected to the two signal lights 53, 54, one of which is preferably green and the other of which is red. The other terminals of these signal lights are connected by conductors 55 and 56 to ground.

Thus the green light may be used to indicate the locking of the locking unit, indicating a condition of safety, and the red light may be used to indicate the act of unlocking the locking unit 20, indicating a condition of danger.

The rotary switch unit 44 is provided with detent means for holding it in its fixed positions intermediate all of the fixed contacts, such as the position illustrated in Figure 1, where all of the circuits are open. This is the condition which preferably exists at all times except when the switch is being actuated, so that the present device utilizes a minimum amount of electrical energy and does not impose a severe drain on the batteries, as is the case with some of the devices of the prior art. The same is true of the signal lights which are turned on only momentarily when the switch is being actuated from one position to another.

The rotatable switch member 44 is provided with an operative connection 5'! with a ratchet wheel 58, this being indicated by the dotted line in Figure 1. The ratchet wheel is adapted to be actuated step by step by means of a slidably mounted plunger 59, further to be described, and provided with a pawl 68, all of which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

At each actuation of the plunger 59 the ratchet wheel 58 is stepped one step in a clockwise direction, carrying with it the rotatable switch member 44, which causes one of the contact arms 4648 to momentarily establish a bridging connection between the fixed contacts 4|, 42, and one of the other fixed contacts 49 and 50. The contact engagement is momentary because the rotatable switch member 44 only establishes a circuit while wiping over the contacts, and immediately moves on to another inoperative position in which it is positioned sixty degrees from the position shown in Fig. 1.

The extended lines 5| and 52 of the conductors in the diagram indicate that this circuit may include a multiplicity of the locking devices 20 and signal lights, such as, for example, a locking device on both front doors. It may also include a pair of locking devices for both back doors with a separate controlling switch 43, and all of the doors may be controlled by one switch and four locking units.

The switch or switches are preferably placed on the floor at some position remote from the usual dimmer switch, such as, for example, between the brake and clutch pedals, where it can be actuated by the toe of the right foot. If two switches are used, they are preferably placed side by side.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 8, these are illustrations of the structure and. arrangement of the step-by-step controlling switch preferably employed. The switch may include a supporting plate 6!, which supports a box-like switch housing 62 to which it is secured at the attaching flanges 63 by means of a plurality of eyelet rivets 64. The eyelet rivets are also used for passing screw bolts which secure the switch to the floor.

The face plate 6i of the switch has a through bore 65, Figure 8, for passing the reciprocating plunger 59, which carries the ratchet wheel actuator 69 at its inner end. This ratchet wheel actuator comprises an angular metal plate having a guide flange 68 and an attaching flange 6-7. The attaching flange 6'! has a through bore 68 which receives the reduced end. 69 of plunger 59, the plunger being riveted over at Hi to secure the plunger and ratchet actuator 60' together.

The guide flange 66 is preferably rectangular in shape, having a sliding fit against the bottom ll of the housing 62, and it is guided by the sides l2, 13 of the housing. The guide flange 66 has a longitudinally extending slot 14 which may slide on the opposite sides of a circular portion 715 of the stub shaft 16. The end of the stub shaft 18 passes through the bottom wall H and is riveted over at H.

The guide flange 66 preferably has a punched finger or tab l8 punched out of its body at a suitable distance from the shaft 16 and extending diagonally upward out of the body of the flange 66. The end 19 of the tab constitutes the actuating shoulder of a pawl comprising the tab 18, and the sloping surface 8B of this tab constitutes a camming surface which cams the ratchet wheel 58 axially on the shaft '16 to pass the ratchet wheel shoulder on the return movement to the left.

The actuating plunger 59 is preferably surrounded by a metal tube Bl which has a pair of integral elongated fingers 82 on its right end, Figure 8, passing through slotted apertures 83, and bent outwardly to secure the tube 8| to the face plate 6!. The open end of the tube BI is closed by means of a telescoping cap 84, which has an easy sliding fit on the tube BI and has its end wall 85 fixedly secured to the plunger 59.

For this purpose the plunger 59- may have a reduced portion 86 which passes through an aperture in the end wall 85 of the cap 84, this reduced portion being riveted over at $1 in a pressed recess in the top of the cap. A helical compression spring 88 preferably surrounds the plunger 59 and engages the inside of the cap 84 at one end and. the outside of the face plate til at the other end.

Thus the spring 88 constantly urges the telescoping cap 8 5 into extended position, the plunger 59 carrying with it the ratchet actuator 6t which is normally held in the position of Figure 8. The ratchet wheel 58 preferably comprises a metal disc provided with a central aperture 89 for receiving stub shaft 16, and with a plurality of radially extending integral arms lli-95, each of which has a fiat portion 9a on its trailing side, the edge 91 of which serves as a ratchet wheel abutment for engagement with the end '19 of the pawl 18.

The leading portion 98 of each arm on the ratchet wheel is bent upwardly at an obtuse angle along the radial line 99,. so that its lower surface may serve as a cam for riding over the pawl 18 as the pawl moves backward to the position of Figure 8-. During this backward movement the ratchet wheel 58 must be moved bodily in an axial direction on the shaft It against the pressure of spring I06, Figure l, in order to let the pawl pass the arm of the ratchet wheel which it has just actuated.

In order to connect the ratchet wheel to the rotatable switch member 43, the ratchet wheel preferably has a plurality of axially extending rectangular tabs H] I, these being located between the axially spaced arms. Three such tabs are sufiicient, and they are located between alternate arms. The tabs lill engage in peripheral slots in the base plate 162 of the connecting member I03, Figure 4, which is preferably in the form of a spider to permit an adequate length of the spring I011.

The spider N13 has a hexagonal base plate,

three of the sides being wider and provided with axially extending flanges ltd. The narrow sides have the peripheral slots 505. The flanges Hi4 extend in an axial direction and are long enough to extend from the ratchet wheel 58 to the rotary switch member 43, the latter being provided with rectangular apertures or slots to receive the ends I06 of the flanges Iii i.

Thus the spider Hi3 constitutes a connecting member or drive between the ratchet wheel 55 and the rotary switch member 43 which is mounted on the same shaft. The rotary switch member 43 preferably comprises a disc of insulating material, such as insulating fiber re-enforced with fabric having a central aperture H)? for receiving the stub shaft it.

The length of the spring use, which surrounds the shaft i6, is such that it is already initially compressed when the rotary switch disc is placed on the shaft; and the rotary switch disc 43 may be moved axially against the spring I06 on shaft 16 to permit the rotary switch member to slide over its detents indicated at H18. During this sliding motion the ends tilt of the spider ms slide in. the apertures H39 in the disc 53.

The rotary switch disc 43 is provided, with a plurality of apertures He, each of which is countersunk at H! to form a detaining shoulder which can be held by the ball-shaped detents I08, but which can also cam itself off the detent by rising axially of the shaft 76 as the disc is rotated.

The apertures Ilil are arranged in a circle about the center of the disc 13. The rotary switch member 43 also carries the movable contact member 45 which has the three radially extending contact arms it-48, and this contact member may be secured in place by having the ends of the arms bent over at H2 in peripheral slots I 53, these ends bein bent backwardly to U-shape on the other side of the disc 53.

The movable contact member t5 has a centrally located aperture H5, which has a clearance with respect to the shaft "Fe and with respect to the bearing bore it? in the disc 43. The connector plate H5, Figure 4, may consist of a rectangle of insulating material which is provided on its opposite sides adjacent each corner with angular cuts or recesses lit for receiving the securing flanges H! which project axially from the housing walls l2, l3, and which can be bent over on the outside of the connector plate H5 to hold it in fixed position in or on the end of the housing 62.

The connector plate H5 has a plurality of through rivets N8, the inner ends of which have the partly spherical heads 188 which serve as 7 the ball detents for engaging in the countersunk holes H0. These rivets and their ball heads are located in a circle and may also serve as the fixed contacts already indicated at 49, 50, 4|, 42.

The same rivets may be used for securing connectors IISJ, I20, I2I to the plate II5, as shown in Figure 2, and the connector I I9 may form that part which joins the two contacts 4I and 42, being the two common energized contacts of Figure 1. The connectors I20 and I2I correspond to the contacts 49 and 50; each of these connectors is provided with a screw threaded bore and a screw bolt I22 for securin a wire conductor to it.

Referring to Figure 5, I23, I24 indicate integral inwardly projecting bosses on the plate II5 flush with the surface of the rotary switch disc 43, when it is in the position of Figure 4, so as to prevent as far as possible the tilting of the disc which might take place in the absence of such lugs.

The operation of the switch is as follows:

The normal position of the rotary switch member 43 is with a plurality of its countersunk apertures I It engaging about the spherical detent heads I38, in which position the rivets IIB are spaced from any of the movable contact arms 4643.

When the operator steps upon the cap 84, compressing spring 88, the ratchet actuator 60 slides to the right, in Figure 8, and the pawl 78 engages with its end E9 the edge 91 of one of the ratchet arms 83, Figure 7. The rotatin force is sufficient to cam the countersunk surfaces of the holes IIiI over the ball-shaped detents I03, the rotary switch disc 43 being permitted to move to the left in Figure 4 by spring I30, but being maintained always in contact with the rivet heads I08.

As the switch disc 43 is released by the detents I08, it moves with a snapping action in a rotary direction until its apertures I I6 again receive the next ball detents I08 which all register with the apertures at the same time. In the course of this movement from one detent to another, the switch arms 46-48 momentarily pass over the contacts 4|, 42, and either the contact 49 or 50 and the switch again comes to rest in a position in which the movable contact 45 with three arms is insulated from the fixed contacts.

The motion of the switch takes place during movement of the ratchet wheel actuator 60 toward the right in Figure 8, and when the operator has pushed the cap 34 down and removes his foot, the spring 38 moves the cap again to the left, as in Figure 8, withdrawing the ratchet wheel actuator 63.

Durin this motion the pawl 80 slides under the upwardly turned diagonal portion 98 of the adjacent ratchet wheel arm. The ratchet wheel is held fixed by its connection through the spider I03 to the switch disc 43, which is held against ro tation by its detents I08.

The pawl then passes backward to the left under the ratchet wheel arm, while the ratchet wheel is permitted to move axially toward the right in Figure 4, to permit this motion or the pawl, until the pawl again resumes the position of Figure 7 with its end behind the next ratchet wheel arm. Thus the switch plunger is adapted to move the rotary switch member step by step, first closing a circuit through contact 49, Figure 1, and upon the next depression of the plunger closing the circuit through the contact 58 of Figure 1. Current is only utilized momentarily after the switch moves to open circuit position again.

Referring to Figures 9 to 17, these are views showing the structure of the electrically actuated locking unit 20. This unit preferably comprises a drawn sheet metal housing member I25, the outer wall of which is substantially cylindrical and provided with a cylindrical bore I26. This housing member has one closed end wall I21, and at its open end is provided with a radially extending attaching flange I 28.

The housing member is preferably made of paramagnetic material, such as soft steel or iron, as it forms the external part of the magnetic circuit of the solenoid which it encloses. The solenoid comprises a pair of solenoid coils 30 and 3! of insulated wire of suitable size and resistance; and these coils are preferably wound upon a tube I2 9 of nonmagnetic metal, such as brass.

The tube I29 is preferably insulated from the wire, which may be of the enameled type, by a sleeve I30 of insulation, such as a paper tube or wrapping; and the tube supports spool flanges I3I, I32 at each of its ends, where they are secured against sliding off by havin the ends of the tube spun over at I33.

Intermediate the ends of the tube there is a soft iron washer I34, which has an aperture I35 having a frictional fit on the tube, and the size of the washer is such as to provide a sliding fit in the bore I26 of housing I25.

The soft iron washer I34 provides an intermediate portion of the magnetic circuit which is alternately used by one or the other of the solenoid coils. On each side of the soft iron washer I34 there is preferably located a fiber washer I36 for keeping the spool formation.

The turns of wire which form the coils 30, 3I are preferably so proportioned that they may be energized with a suitable amount of current by a 6-volt battery when used for automotive purposes, but they may be proportioned for any suitable voltage.

One common end of each coil is brought out adjacent the fiber washer I36 and these coil terminals indicated at I31 are brought longitudinally of the assembly through suitable slots I33 in the washers I34, I36 and I3I, so that these conductors may be connected to a connector I38 located outside the end spool washer I3I and engaging the end I21 of the housing to constitute a ground connection.

Connector I39 comprises a strip of conducting metal having a central circular portion I40 which surrounds the screw bolt I4 I, Figure 10, by means of which it is clamped against the end I21 of the housing.

The other two terminals of the two coils 30, 3I also extend longitudinally of the coils through suitable slots in the washer, as indicated by the conductor I42, I43, Figure 12, and they may pass through tubular rivets I44 in the connector plate I45, where they are secured at their outer ends by a drop of solder I46. These tubular rivets also serve to secure to the end of the assembly or to the connector plate I45, a pair of connector members I4I, which may be substantially similar to the connectors previously described.

The connectors I4! have transversely bent fingers I41 which extend into sockets in the connector plate I45 (Figure 10) to prevent the connectors from turning on the rivets I46.

The connector plate I45 comprises a disc of insulating material which is secured to the end of the housing I25 by a pair of rivets I48. This insulating plate also has a central aperture I49 for passing the screw bolt I4I, which may be used to connect this unit to the frame of the vehicle to complete the ground.

The screw bolt MI is preferably of the type having a fillister head I56, which is located in a counterbore II in a plug of paramagnetic metal I52. This plug is cylindrical and fills the end of the brass tube I29, and the bolt MI passes through a bore I53 and through an aperture in the end wall I21; and is provided with a pair of nuts, the first one of which clamps the plug against the bottom of the housing which assures a good contact with the ground connector I46, and with the second nut serves to secure a ground conductor to the unit.

The fillister head slightly from the inner end of the plug I52. and constitutes a stop for the end of the plunger armature E54. Sticking of the armature against the plug or bolt may be avoided by using a brass bolt which keeps the armature I54 from engaging the magnetic plug I52.

The plunger armature I54 is preferably of such length that it extends only partially into one coil when it has been drawn into the other coil, and the plugs are of such length that they prevent the armature from being drawn into centered position midway between the ends of either coil. Thus the armature has a limited movement but it is subject to a powerful pull because it is always partly outside the coil which is acting upon it.

The central washers was, I66 and the end washer IZI are preferably provided with peripheral slots I55, which are aligned with each other for passing an integral inwardly extending protuberance I56, which extends longitudinally of the housing, is narrow enough to be passed by the slots I55 and long enough to be engaged by both the washers I36. This projection 56 on the inside of the housing serves to prevent rotation of the coil assembly and spools inside the housing.

At its open end the housing I is preferably provided with another cover or closure washer E5? of paramagnetic metal for completing the magnetic circuit at this end of the coils 30. This magnetic disc has a central aperture I58 which receives the reduced end 559 of a paramagnetic plug I66 of cylindrical shape for filling this end of the tube I26 and limiting the range of movement of the armature i5 1.

Plug I66 has a through bore I6l for passing the connecting rod I62, the end of which has a pressed frictional fit in a bore I63 in the armature I54. A washer of brass I64 may be secured on the end of the armature I 54, by a shoulder on the connecting rod I62, and this washer prevents sticking between the plug I60 and armature I54 which might be caused by residual magnetism. Connecting rod I62 is made of nonmagnetic metal.

The connecting rod I62 is surrounded by a lubricant impregnated felt washer I65, which is secured to the outside of the end wall I51 by a suitable adhesive cement. Thus the connecting rod I62 is constantly lubricated; and the ingress of dust, etc., is prevented.

The end wall I51 also supports a pivot bracket I66, Figure 16, for the latching member 2I. This pivot bracket may consist of a U-shaped member of nonmagnetic metal bent to substantially rectangular form, the fiat yoke of which has an aperture I6! for receiving the rivet I68, by means of which it is secured to the end plate I51.

A resilient detent member, indicated at I69, also has its attaching flange I 70 clamped bel56 preferably projects ing attaching flange I'Ill. Its two resilient parallel legs Hi are each formed with a pressed dimple I12, which may also be described as a pressed partially spherical projection on their inner sides.

The latching member 25 has a pair of partially spherical depressions or sockets Eli; on each side, these sockets being adapted to receive the spherical projection H2. The resilient legs of this de- Y member 2: and tend to engage in the sec 'ets H3. One pair of sockets is located so that the detent member I69 holds the latching member 2! in its latched position; and the other pair of sockets is arranged to hold the latching member 2? in its withdrawn position.

The pivot bracket I66 has its two legs ii i provided with aligned apertures lid for receiving a pivot pin lit, which has a floating fit in the apertures H5. This pivot pin also passes through the apertures i'i'i in the pivot flanges 5'36 of the latching member 2|, which is pivotally mounted on pin between the legs of the bracket 5 66.

sc pivot pin H6 floats in its bearings but is prevented from moving longitudinally out of its bearings by its ends engaging the cover I19, which has a cup-shape formation, the side walls E66 of which limit longitudinal movement of the pin iit. The bracket i66 preferably has longi-' tudinally extending rivet lugs I 35 (Figure 16), which pass through apertures in the cove 76 and are riveted over at #62 (Figure 10).

The cover H9 also has a radially extending attaching flange I63, which engages the attaching flange 26 on the housing, and the cover may include a cylindrical rim Hi l which engages the edge of the attaching flange :23. The cover H9 is preferably permanently secured on the housing to prevent tampering by a plurality of riveted eyelets 265, the roles of which serve for passing the screw bolts 26 which secure the latching unit 26 when it is installed.

The latching member ZI is preferably made of suitable sheet metal, such as brass, a piece of which is bent to substantially U-shape with two parallel flanges I66, iii'l. These flanges preferably extend at substantially right angles to the yoke ice which may be fiat, and the bends at I89 are easy bends at substantially right angles.

At the smaller end of the flanges :86, till, the pivot flanges I '58 project longitudinally and serve to provide for the pivotal support of the latch 2 I. These pivot flanges are partially circular but are joined by a neck portion I96 of reduced width so that this portion will not interfere with the pivotal movement of the latch, room being provided for a felt lubrica'tor WI.

The parallel flanges have the partially spherical sockets Hi3 previously described for the spring detent I66, and they are provided with the aligned bearing apertures I92 for receiving the pivot pin i63, Figure 10, by means of which the latching member 2i is connected to the connecting rod I62.

Connecting rod I62 preferably has a reduced flattened portion 494 which is received between the parallel flanges I86, E6? of the latching member 2 I, but also permits room for a pair of lubricant impregnated felt washers M5.

The pivot pin I63 may consist of a rivet passing through the connecting rod 162 and the two parallel flanges I66, I 81. The pivot pin H6 is also preferably lubricated by carrying a pair of lubricant impregnated felt washers I96 inside the legs I14 of the bracket I86 on each side of the latching member. A thin spring washer I91, be-

tween the felt washers I96 and the pivot flanges I18, serve to prevent rattling and keep the felt Washers in tight engagement with the adjacent surfaces.

At its larger or left end the latching member 2 I, Figure 15, has its yoke I88 provided with an integral closure flange I98, which is bent downward to provide an end abutment for the latch which engages the keeper, and is indicated by the numeral 24 in Figure 1. This flange I98 preferably extends at right angles to a radius drawn from the axis of pivot of the latch 2 I; and its end portions I99 and 208 are at the same radial distance from the axis.

The cover I19 has its end provided with a rectangular opening 28I for passing the latch 2I, and this cover carries on its inner side a felt washer I9I impregnated with lubricant, and also having a slightly smaller rectangular aperture 202 so that the felt wipes against the end flange 598 and the two side flanges I86, I81 of the latch to maintain a substantial closure.

The center parallel flanges I86, I81 may also be provided with longitudinally extending stop lugs 203 at the larger or left end, the surface 294 of these lugs engaging the inside of the felt washer I91 to limit the outward pivotal movement of the latch 2I.

The inward movement of the latch 2I is limited by the engagement of the plunger armature I54 with the fillister head I58 of bolt MI, and in this position the yoke I88 of the latch 21 is substantially r'iush with the outside of cover [1-9.

The operation of the locking unit 28 is as follows:

When neither coil is energized the latching member 2| is held in the projected position of Figure l or Figure by the spring detent I59, the projections of which engage in the innermost sockets I13. Likewise when the latch 21 is retracted it is held in that position by the detent I89.

The present device utilizes no current when it is locked or unlocked, but only utilizes current momentarily during the looking or unlocking action, when it also gives a signal of the character of its action. When the coil 3| is energized the armature I54 is pulled into the coil 35 by the fiux generated, which completes its magnetic field through the housing I25, end wall 21 and soft, iron washer I34.

The flux also passes through the armature and tends to draw the armature into a position in which the armature is drawn into the coil, and would continue to draw the armature inward until the armature extended from end to end of the coi1 were it not for the plug I52.

The force exerted upon the armature diminishes as the armature passes into the coil, and this force is at a maximum in the present device because of the limited movement of the armature, and because the armature is kept from entering entirely into the coil.

Upward movement of the armature I54 pulls the latching member 2I into the cover I19. In so doing it is opposed by the spring detents I39 which, however, being spherical are cammed out of their sockets I13 so that they ride on the side of the latch until they snap into the other sockets I13, where they hold the latch in retracted position.

When the coil 30 is energized, armature I54 12 is pulled downward in Figure 10, and the latch 2! is projected by the connecting rod I62 until either the armature or the latch reaches the limit of its movement. During this action of the coil 38, the magnetic circuit is completed through the soft, iron washer I34, side of housing I25, end plate I51, plug I68 and the armature.

The operation of the complete system is as follows:

It is assumed that the vehicle car doors will be protdded with the ordinary locking devices, which can be actuated from the outside or the inside. The present safety system is auxiliary to those looking devices, which it overrides insofar as the locking of the doors is concerned.

When the operator of the vehicle wishes to use a safe condition of his doors, he merely steps upon the plunger cap 84 of the controlling switch 43. The actuation of this plunger steps the ratchet wheel and rotary switch member in a rotary direction one step, during which it passes from off-circuit position to another off-circuit position, but during its motion it momentarily closes a contact through the circuit which includes the coils 30.

This causes the armatures of any number of locking units 20 to move the latching members 2! out into latching position, in which position the latching members project into the apertures of their keepers 24. The latching members do not necessarily engage these sides or edges of the apertures in the keepers, and the abrupt shoulder 24 on the latching member 2I need only engage the keeper when someone tries to open the door. At other times it is preferably free of the keeper, but interposed into the keeper aperture. This permits the latch to operate more freely while still performing its blocking or locking function.

The operator may have a locking unit on each of his four doors, controlling them all by one switch, or he may have one switch for the two front doors and another for the two back doors. The present devices are simple and foolproof and are sealed against tampering by any unauthorized persons. The units of the system are dustproof and assured of constant and adequate lubrication. The locking unit can be installed on the doors if desired, by providing the usual pigtail conductors extending from door to frame at the hinges.

One of the most important features of the invention lies in the fact that any user is protected against holdup men who now have the practice of quickly opening the door at a stop light, stepping into the car and taking a seat beside the driver or some other occupant.

The system also protects the driver in the event of altercations with other drivers who may try to gain access to the occupant of the automotive vehicle, but are prevented by the present safety system. The best thing that anyone can do when engaged in such an altercation with another driver is to stay inside the vehicle with the doors locked; and with the present system no one can reach in a window and unlock the door from the inside.

The present safety system also prevents children from unlocking and opening the doors from the inside, and this is of the utmost importance as many children have fallen out of vehicles while in motion, resulting in severe bodily injury and frequently in concussion and fracture of the skull.

The present devices are also simple and eco- 13 nomical in their construction, and they do not constitute a severe drain on the source of electric current with which they are used.

The cover i9 carries all parts contained in the open end of the housing member 125, including the end wall hi7, the plug 160, the connecting rod Hi2, and the armature 15s. To provide a rigid connection between the end wall it? and the cover I19, in addition to that provided by the bracket 168, I have shown tubular spacers 2H proportioned in accordance with the height of the bracket I88 and to receive the rivets 212. The rivets 2|2 extend through the end wall 551 and the cover I79 and are upset as at 213 to secure the parts in operative relationship.

The assembly of parts and particular construction described, provides a separate subassembly unit which can be readily inserted in the housing assembly with a minimum amount of labor.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

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

1.. In an electric switch for controlling electric door locks, the combination of a metal supporting plate with a tubular housing having integral tabs passing through apertures in said plate and bent over, said plate having a central aperture, an actuating cap telescoping with said housing carried by a plunger passing through said aperture, a. coil spring about said plunger and compressed between said plate and cap, an angle plate having one flange riveted on the end of said plunger, a switch housing carried by said supporting plate and mounted in sliding engagement with and enclosing the other flange of said 2 '51. plate, said latter flange having a slot for passing a shaft, an insulating plate carried by said housing at right angles to said supporting piate, spherical headed metal studs carried by said insulating plate to act as contacts and indexing members, said heads projecting inward into housing, an insulating rotor disc having a central bore and a plurality of inner tapered through bores acting as detent sockets on the spherical heads of said metal studs, said rotor having a plurality of peripheral grooves, l idging contact on said rotor, comprising a itral disc having a plurality of radial contact 2.1 ms bent over the edge of said rotor into U ape in said peripheral grooves, said latter disc having an enlarged aperture, a shaft secured in said housing and projecting through said rotor, a ratchet wheel on said shaft adjacent said angle plate flange, and having a plurality of wings turned upwardly at their leading eds said angle plate having a tab bent out of angle plate flange to engage the trailing edges of said wings and to slide under the leading edges, means drivably connecting said ratchet 14 wheel and said rotor, and a helical spring on said shaft urging said ratchet wheel against said tab and said rotor against said spherical headed studs.

2. In an electric switch for controlling electric door locks, the combination of a metal supporting plate with a tubular housing having integral tabs passing through apertures in said plate and bent over, said plate having a central aperture, an actuating cap telescoping with said housing and carried by a plunger passing through said aperture, a coil spring about said plunger and compressed between said plate and cap, an angle plate having one flange riveted on the end of said plunger, a switch housing carried by said supporting plate and mounted in sliding engagement with and enclosing the other flange of said angle plate, said latter flange having a slot for passing a shaft, an insulating plate carried by said housing at right angles to said supporting plate, spherical headed metal studs carried by said insulating plate to act as contacts and indexing members, said heads projecting inward into said housing, an insulating rotor disc having a central bore and a plurality of inner tapered through bores acting as detent sockets on the spherical heads of said metal studs, said rotor having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a bridging contact on said rotor, comprising a central disc having a plurality of radial contact arms bent over the edge of said rotor into U shape in said peripheral grooves, said latter disc having an enlarged aperture, a. shaft secured in said housing and projecting through said rotor, a ratchet wheel on said shaft adjacent said angle plate flange, and having a plurality of radial wings turned upwardly at their leading edges, said angle plate having a tab bent out of said angle plate flange to engage the trailing edges of said wings and to slide under the leading edges, means drivably connecting said ratchet wheel and said rotor, and a helical spring on said shaft urging said ratchet wheel against said tab and said rotor against said spherical headed studs, said means comprising a spider having a base plate slidably mounted on said shaft against said ratchet wheel, to which it is secured, said spider having three axially extending flanges engaging slidably in apertures in said rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,629,614 Devereaux May 24, 1927 1,661,352 Young Mar. 8, 1928 1,909,107 Kelly May 16, 1933 1,995,889 Landry Mar. 26, 1935 2,006,624 Block July 2, 1935 2,103,363 Hansen Dec. 28, 1937 2,156,387 Goldflnger May 2, 1939 2,213,625 Cummings Sept. 3, 1940 2,219,132 Hohmann et a1. Oct. 22, 1940 2,231,387 Jones Feb. 11, 1941 2,283,630 Hill May 19, 1942 2,298,781 Bluemle Oct. 13, 1942 2,446,855 Seibel Aug. 10, 1948 2,450,924: Stilwell Oct. 12, 1948 2,496,118 Brown Jan. 31, 1950

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