Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02186436 2007-08-29
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Loop Striker
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to strikers utilized to retain closure members of
vehicles
in a latched position. In particular this invention finds application for
strikers for engagement
with latches whether installed adjacent vehicle compartments or whether
installed on the
closure member itself.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A multitude of strikers exist in the automotive industry. As is well known
strikers include a mounting portion for fixing the striker adjacent the
vehicle compartment
which is being closed by the closure member. For example, when considering
hood latches
the striker may be located on the underside of the hood or alternatively
affixed adjacent the
engine compartment in a compatible location so as to align with a latch when
the hood is
lowered. The same is true for a deck lid closing a trunk compartment, or for a
door closing a
vehicle passenger compartment.
Many alternative striker forms therefore have been proposed to serve the
aforementioned purposes. Typically in one form a mounting bracket is provided
from which
a keeper or wire rod being of substantially U shape extends substantially
normal to the plane
of extension of the bracket. The U shaped wire rod or keeper portion of said
striker includes
two legs which extend into the bracket where at they are fastened by known
methods. These
legs therefore extend generally in the same direction as the plane of the door
when fastened to
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a pillar or the like. There is a leading leg and a lagging leg with respect
to the striker. Typically the leading leg is the leg which engages the
latch for securing a closure in a latched position.
Some of the prior structures include U shaped keepers
which include one larger cross sectional leg. Other manufacturers have
chosen to taper the wire portion connecting both the leading and the
lagging leg for example by encapsulating that portion in plastic and/or
tapering it towards the lagging leg. Such a structures such as United
States Patent 5,050,917 issued September 24, 1991 to Mitsui and United
States Patent 5õ209,531 issued May 11, 1993 to Magna will tend to
improve the performance of the overall striker and latch combination.
However, the structures do describe improvements to the keeper. They
do not address the joint between the mounting plate and the keeper.
Some manufacturers have endeavored to simplify their
strikers. Examples, of such prior structures are United States Patent
5,501,495 issued March 26, 1996 to Manchester Stamping and United
States Patent 5,263,752 issued November 23, 1993 to General Motors
which describe a two part and a one piece striker respectively. Any
load resistance provided is limited to the strength of material from
which these simple structures are made.
Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd in United States Patent 4,650,231
issued March 17, 1987 teaches a striker including a base plate adapted to
receive and retain the U shaped keeper under a tightening force without
deforming the mounting plate. There is little structure provided with
these examples to prevent the legs from separating from the mounting
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3
brackets when subjected to a pulling load other than the limited area
around the leg supports adjacent the mounting bracket. United States Patent
3,239,260 issued March 8, 1966 to Beckman et al teaches a latch including a
striker best seen in Figure 8 which includes a keeper and keeper mounting
plate
which may be welded together. However, the welded end at 13 is flattened and
only secured to the outside of the mounting plate, while the other leg extends
through an aperture in the plate and may be welded or riveted at that
location.
There is no structure provided to prevent the legs from separating from the
brackets when subjected to a pulling load.
Finally, United States Patent 5,234,238 issued August 10, 1993 to Takigen
Manufacturing describes a latch and striker therefore, as seen in Figure 1 and
Figure 4 wherein said keeper is clamped between two plates. The anchoring legs
37, of keeper 9 are extensions only of each leg. There is no structure
provided to
prevent the legs from separating from the clamping brackets when subjected to
a
pulling load.
According to 49 CFR Part 571 the FMVSS #206 (Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard (USA) specifications are provided for locks and retention com-
ponents against standard tests. The latch and striker must not separate when
subjected to a longitudinal load of 2,500 pounds and a transverse load of
2,000
pounds. In applying such a requirement to the striker assemblies
aforementioned
it is suggested that many of these structures do not address a concern of en-
hancing the anchoring of the keeper with the mounting plate. It would
therefore
be
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desirable to provide a striker which meets or surpasses the FMVSS
standard in all respects.
It is therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide
a striker assembly which meets and surpasses the FMVSS test
requirements in all respects.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a striker
assembly which is economical to manufacture.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a
method of manufacture for a striker.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a
compact striker assembly for installation in areas where other strikers
cannot be installed.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a
striker assembly for installation in vehicles not containing a B pillar.
Further and other objects of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art when considering the following
summary invention and the more detailed description of the preferred
embodiment thereof illustrated herein.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
striker engageable with a latch to retain a moveable closure with
5 respect to a vehicle compartment, said striker comprising at least one
mounting plate having mounting means (and preferably openings) for
mounting adjacent a compartment opening at a predetermined location
or a free end of said moveable closure member at a predetermined
location, said at least one mounting plate having recesses or grooves
formed therewith for receiving an anchoring portion of said striker,
said striker having a keeper portion for engaging said latch when said
moveable closure member is moved to a closed position, said keeper
having a first leg and a second leg each having two ends, said first
and/or second legs being joined together by a third portion proximate
their distal ends for engaging said latch in use, said first and second legs
each having disposed proximate the other end thereof remote said third
portion at least one anchoring leg extending angularly away
(longitudinally, transversely or upwardly), therefore and in one
embodiment substantially approximately normal, from the extension of
said first and second legs, either said at least one anchoring leg, and/or
preferably a portion of said first and second legs adjacent said at least
one anchoring leg, being fastened with said at least one mounting plate
(preferably by welding) within compatibly shaped recesses or grooves
formed with said at least one mounting plate and being of sufficient
depth (or diameter) to fully accommodate said at least one anchoring leg
and preferably the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said at
least one anchoring leg, wherein any load applied, for example
longitudinally, transversely or in one embodiment upwardly of the plane
moveable closure member to said latch and striker tending to separate
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said striker from said latch, will be resisted by either said at least one
anchoring legs, and/or preferably a portion of said first and second legs
adjacent said at least one anchoring legs, fastened with said at least one
mounting plate and preferably welded to said at least one mounting plate
adjacent said recesses.
In one embodiment when said at least one mounting plate is
one plate said recess is of greater depth and of greater diameter than
the diameter of said first and second legs and said at least one anchoring
legs. Preferably said third portion may be biased at an angle when the
first leg is of greater length than said second leg. In a preferred
embodiment said at least one mounting plate extends in at least a first
plane and said keeper extends in a plane substantially parallel to the first
plane preferably fully within the recesses formed with said at least one
mounting plate.
According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a striker engageable with a latch to retain a moveable closure
with respect to a vehicle compartment, said striker comprising a
mounting plate having mounting openings for mounting adjacent a
compartment opening at a predetermined location or a free end of said
moveable closure member at a predetermined location, said mounting
plate having recesses or grooves formed therewith for receiving and
anchoring a portion of said striker, said striker having a keeper portion
for engaging said latch when said moveable closure member is moved to
a closed position, said keeper having a first leg and a second leg each
having two ends, said first and second legs being joined together by a
third portion proximate their distal ends for engaging said latch in use,
said first and/or second legs having disposed proximate the other end
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thereof remote said third portion an anchoring leg extending angularly
away (longitudinally, transversely or upwardly), and in one embodiment
substantially approximately normal, from the extension of said first
and/or second legs, either said anchoring leg, and/or the portion of said
first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg, being fastened within
said mounting plate by welding within compatibly shaped recesses or
grooves formed with said mounting plate and being of sufficient depth
and diameter to fully accommodate said anchoring leg and the portion
of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg, wherein any
load applied, for example longitudinally, transversely or in one
embodiment upwardly of the plane of the moveable closure member to
said latch and striker tending to separate said striker from said latch,
will be resisted by either said anchoring legs and/or the portion of said
first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg welded within said
recesses of said at least one mounting plate. Preferably said third
portion may be biased at an angle when the first leg is of greater length
than said second leg.
In a preferred embodiment said mounting plate extends in a
first plane and said keeper extends in a plane substantially parallel to
the first plane fully within the channels formed within said mounting
plate.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of manufacturing a striker, said striker comprising a
mounting plate having mounting openings for mounting adjacent a
compartment opening at a predetermined location or a free end of said
moveable closure member at a predetermined location, said mounting
plate having recesses or grooves formed therewith for receiving an
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anchoring a portion of said striker, said striker having a keeper portion
for engaging said latch when said moveable closure member is moved to
a closed position, said keeper having a first leg and a second leg each
having two ends, said first and second legs being joined together by a
third portion proximate their distal ends for engaging said latch in use,
said first and/or second legs having disposed proximate the other end
thereof remote said third portion an anchoring leg extending angularly
away (longitudinally, transversely or upwardly), therefrom and in one
embodiment substantially approximately normal, from the extension of
said first and second legs, either said anchoring leg, and/or the portion
of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg, being fastened
within said mounting plate by welding within compatibly shaped
recesses or grooves formed with said mounting plate and being of
sufficient depth and diameter to fully accommodate said anchoring leg
and the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg,
said method comprising:
(1) forming the mounting plate, extending in a first plane
preferably by stamping, extending in a first plane
(2) forming the recesses within the mounting plate, the
bottom of said recesses extending in a second plane parallel to said first
plane,
(3) forming said keeper,
(4) inserting said anchoring legs of said keeper and
preferably the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said
anchoring legs within said recesses ,
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=
(5) welding either said anchoring legs of said keeper and/or
the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring legs
within said recesses, (preferably MIG welding)
(6) preferably heat treating said striker,
wherein any load applied, for example longitudinally, transversely or in
one embodiment upwardly of the plane of the moveable closure member
to said latch and the striker formed by the method tending to separate
said striker from said latch, will be resisted by either said anchoring leg
and/or the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring
leg welded within said recesses of said mounting plate.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided
a method of manufacturing a mounting plate for a striker, said
mounting plate having mounting openings for mounting adjacent a
compartment opening at a predetermined location or a free end of said
moveable closure member at a predetermined location, said mounting
plate having recesses or grooves formed therewith for receiving an
anchoring a portion of said striker, said striker having a keeper portion
for engaging said latch when said moveable closure member is moved to
a closed position, said keeper having a first leg and a second leg each
having two ends, said first and second legs being joined together by a
third portion proximate their distal ends for engaging said latch in use,
said first and/or second legs having disposed proximate the other end
thereof remote said third portion an anchoring leg extending angularly
away (longitudinally, transversely or upwardly), therefrom and in one
embodiment substantially approximately normal, from the extension of
said first and second legs, either said anchoring leg, and/or the portion
of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg, being fastened
- - - -
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within said mounting plate by welding within compatibly shaped
recesses or grooves formed with said mounting plate and being of
sufficient depth and diameter to fully accommodate said anchoring leg
and the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring leg,
said method comprising:
(1) forming the mounting plate, extending in a first plane
preferably by stamping, extending in a first plane
(2) forming the recesses within the mounting plate, the
bottom of said recesses extending in a second plane parallel to said first
plane,
(3) forming a keeper separate from said mounting plate,
(4) inserting said anchoring legs of said keeper and
preferably the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said
anchoring legs within said recesses ,
(5) welding either said anchoring legs of said keeper and/or
the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring legs
within said recesses, (preferably MIG welding)
(6) preferably heat treating said striker,
wherein any load applied, for example longitudinally, transversely or in
one embodiment upwardly of the plane of the moveable closure member
to said latch and the striker formed by the method tending to separate
said striker from said latch, will be resisted by either said anchoring leg
and/or the portion of said first and second legs adjacent said anchoring
leg welded within said recesses of said mounting plate.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the components making up
the striker assembly and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 is a bottom schematic view of the welding
locations for the embodiments of figure 1.
Figure 4 is the welding locations for the embodiment of
figure 2.
Figure 5 is schematic view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 6 is an assembled schematic view of the striker of
figure 5.
Figure 7 is an exploded view of the striker assembly of
figure 3.
Figure 8 is a assembled view of the striker of figure 7.
Figure 9 is the top view of figure 8.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring generally to the Figures there is illustrated a number of striker as-
semblies 5, 11, and 30, as best seen in figures 1, 2, and figure 5
respectfully. The
striker 5 and the alternative embodiments thereof were designed to provide a
low profile
striker assembly for striker 5 and for striker 11 which will fit in areas
wherein other strik-
ers of conventional design will not fit. Further strikers 5, 11, and 30 are
also designed to
provide improved anchoring and resistance of the striker to loads expressed
longitudi-
nally, transversally, or upwardly with regard to the plane of the moveable
closure
wherein the striker may be assembled. Preferably the closure member is a
vehicle door
for a pickup truck. In the preferred embodiment the striker is one of two
strikers provided
with the door assembly one near the top and one near the bottom, when a
typical B pil-
lar is not provided with the vehicle.
Referring to figure 1 there is illustrated a striker assembly 5 including a
keeper 10 having a first and second leg 16 and 17 separated by a portion 15.
At the
other end of the legs 16 and 17 are provided anchoring portions 19 and 18
which interfit
within the channel 22 of the mounting plate 20 stamped or extruded from HSLA
0.5 SAE
1008/1010 plate. The plate thickness is approximately 2mm and the whole center
to
whole center distance for the openings 21 to the next opening 21 is 110mm. The
wire
rod 10 making up the keeper is 09.0 SAE 1040 material having a diameter of 9mm
and
being approximately 11.6rnrn in length. Therefore the channel 22 of the
mounting plate
20 must be larger than the wire diameter size in order to fully accommodate
the wire
keeper 10 within the grove 22. As best seen in
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figure 3 welds W1 and W2 are provided to fasten the anchor portions 19
and the leg portions 16 and 17 with the mounting bracket 20 within the channel
22. The
keeper 10 therefore extends substantially in the same plane of extension as
the plane of
the mounting plate 20. It is recommended that welds W2 may be omitted if
desired,
since once installed against a vehicle component the legs 18, and 19 cannot
leave the
recess 22 without destroying the starter assembly.
Referring to figures 2 and 4 there is illustrated a mounting 10 plate 23 hav-
ing openings 23A therein of the same recommended materials as described in
relation
to fi(jure 1. The recesses or channels 24 and 25 are compatibly shaped with
the ends 1
1 A and 1 I B of the keeper 11. The keeper 11 includes legs 13 and 12
separated by the
portion 14 as seen in figure 2 which are welded in position as per the welds
W4 and W3
as s,een in figure 4. The ends 1 IA and 11 B and the portions of legs 12 and
13 adjacent
the mounting plate 23 are fully accommodated within the recesses 24 and 25 of
the
mounting plate 23. Again it is recommended that welds W3 may be omitted if
desired.
Referring now to figures 5 and 6 there is illustrated an alternative embodi-
merit of the invention of the striker including a mounting plate 35 having
openings 35A
for rnounting in the required position. Channels 36A and 36B are provided to
anchor the
ends 34B and 34A therein by welding as best seen in figure 6. The ends 34B and
34A
of ttie keeper 30 are at the end of the keeper 30 opposite the portion 31.
Legs 32 and
33 separate the portion 31 from the anchoring portions 34A and 34B. These
portions
extend generally away from the plane of the keeper 30 so that the keeper 30
extends in
a plane substantially normal to the mounting plate 35 unlike the embodiments
of figure I
and
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figure 2. However, the anchoring portions 34A and 34B effectively
serve the same purpose.
Referring now to figures 7, 8, and 9 there is illustrated a
preferred embodiment of the invention similar to figure 1 wherein the
leg portion 16 is longer than the leg portion 17. In this regard the
separating portion 15 of keeper 10 is therefore inclined at an angle theta
to the mounting bracket 20. The leg 16 and 17 are welded at welds W 1
as best seen in figure 8. It is clearly seen that the keeper 10 fits fully
within the channel 22 of the mounting plate 20. The openings 21
therefore will mount the striker assembly adjacent the vehicle
compartment in a flush compact manner without the wire rod of keeper
10 interfering with the mounting thereof.
1. A method of manufacturing a striker is also provided for
the aforementioned structures including the steps of:
forming the mounting plate by stamping, extrusion, or any other metal
working process. The mounting plate so formed extends generally in a
first plane.
2. Forming a channel within the mounting plate. The bottom
of the channel formed extends in a second plane parallel to the first
plane of said mounting plate.
3. The keeper is then formed from the above-mentioned
materials.
,
= 15
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4. The anchoring legs of the keeper are inserted within the
channel of the said mounting plate with a portion of the first and second
legs also extending within the channel.
5. Either the anchoring legs of the keeper and/or a portion of
the first and second legs near the anchoring legs are welded within said
channels and preferably by MIG welding or any other alternative
method of welding.
6. Preferably the entire striker assembly is heat treated.
As many changes can be made to the preferred
embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope thereof,
it is submitted that all matter contained herein is to be considered
illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.