Door latch striker

A latch striker includes a base and an arm having a segment extending over the base in spaced relation thereto. Cylinder segments project toward each other from the base and arm and are axially aligned and secured with respect to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle door closure system latches and, more specifically, to door striker plates used on vehicle latch systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle latch systems must be strong and secure to prevent unintended opening of vehicle doors during accidents and other unforeseen events. A known design for a vehicle latch system includes a striker mounted on the doorframe and a releasable latch mechanism on the door configured to engage the striker. The striker includes a bracket secured to the vehicle and a steel post supported by the bracket. The steel post is engaged by the latch mechanism when the door is closed.

Securing the post to the bracket can be both difficult and time consuming. Multiple assembly steps can be required to secure the steel post to the bracket, which may be by welding or other material joining process, threaded engagement between the steel post and a threaded boss on the bracket or securing the post with bolts, nuts or other mechanical fasteners.

Further difficulties can be encountered while securing the assembled striker in the automobile. It is known to provide holes in the bracket by which the bracket is secured with bolts to a frame component of the automobile. The bolts are necessarily short and can be lost or dropped easily during the installation process. The installer must position the bracket in the proper place, insert a bolt or other fastener, and operate an appropriate tool to tighten the fastener.

Consequently, a relatively simple part such as the door striker can be relatively expensive to manufacture and costly to install.

What is needed in the art is a vehicle striker that is sturdy and lightweight, easy and economical to manufacture and simple to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a one-piece drawn component having a base and an arm, which cylinder components formed in both the base and arm and aligned with each other. The aligned cylinder components are secured with respect to each other to form a column to be engaged by the latch mechanism of a vehicle door.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a door striker with a base, an arm having a first arm segment connected to the base and a second arm segment extending from the first arm segment over the base in spaced relation to the base. A column is formed from a first cylinder segment integral with the base and a second cylinder segment integral with the second arm segment. The first and second cylinder segments are aligned axially one with another. The axially aligned relationship between the first cylinder segment and the second cylinder segment is fixed is position.

In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a door striker with a monolithic body having a base and an arm. A segment of the arm extends over the base in spaced relation thereto. A column is formed by axially aligned cylinder segments projecting toward each other from the base and the arm. The axially aligned relationship between the cylinder segments is fixed.

In still another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a process for forming a door striker, with steps of shaping a one-piece monolithic body of material to provide a base and an arm, with a segment of the arm extending over the base in spaced relation thereto. Forming a first cylinder segment in the base projecting from the base toward the arm. Forming a second cylinder segment projecting from the arm toward the base. Aligning the first and second cylinder segments axially one with respect to the other, and securing the axially aligned positions of the first and second cylinder segments with respect to each other.

An advantage of the present invention is providing a vehicle striker that is strong and lightweight.

Another advantage of the present invention is providing a vehicle latch striker that is easy to manufacture and that facilitates installation in the automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to the drawings and toFIG. 1in particular, numeral10designates a latch system component or striker in accordance with the present invention. A striker10embodying the present invention can be used in a variety of latch systems, and the general configuration, appearance and structure, including the size thereof, can vary from one latch system to another, as required.

As best seen inFIG. 1, striker10includes a monolithic body12and an insert14. Body12is formed from a single piece of material by a metal drawing process, stamping or the like. High-strength spring steel or other suitable material that offers both lightweight and high-strength characteristics can be used. Insert14is similarly constructed of steel or other high strength material.

Body12is a monolithic, one-piece structure including a base16and an arm18. Base16provides the platform by which striker10is secured in the vehicle and defines one or more holes20for receiving bolts or other fasteners for securing striker10to the vehicle. Base16further defines a protuberance22in the form of a cylindrical protuberance22projecting outwardly from base16.

Arm18includes a first arm segment24connected to base16and extending away therefrom. A second arm segment26extends from first arm segment24over base16, in spaced relation thereto. Near a distal end28of second arm segment26, a cylindrical projection30is formed of a diameter similar to that of cylindrical protuberance22.

Cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30are axially aligned one with another and thereby form first and second cylindrical segments of a cylindrical column formed between base16and arm18.

During the formation of body12, a funnel-like entrance32is formed in base16leading into cylindrical protuberance22. A similar funnel-like entrance34is formed in second arm segment26leading into cylindrical projection30.

Insert14is disposed in the axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30, and extends from entrance32to entrance34. Insert14is a cylindrical body having an outside diameter selected to fit snugly within the opening formed by aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30. Opposite ends of insert14are flared or expanded outwardly to form a first outwardly flared end36in entrance32and a second outwardly flared end38within entrance34. By expanding or flaring ends36and38, insert14is secured within the axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30. Insert14rigidifies and strengthens the column formed between base16and second arm segment26. The column thus formed engages the second component of a latch system provided on the vehicle door or the like.

Although shown and described as a hollow cylinder, insert14can be a solid pin, with ends thereof mushroomed or expanded for securing within axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30.

A striker10in accordance with the present invention can be assembled without an insert14. Axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30can be fastened one to another such as by welding or other material bonding technique. Further, axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30can be mechanically connected by interlocking end structures, a press-fit connection, snap-fit connection or chemical adherence using adhesive, plastic coatings and the like. For example, axially aligned cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30can be filled with molten material, such as plastic. The end for end abutment of cylindrical protuberance22and cylindrical projection30can be maintained by these and other structures and relationships.

FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which bolt holes20are provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting fingers40. Fingers40are resilient projections configured and arranged one with respect to another to physically engage a bolt or other fastener placed within bolt holes20. Fingers40can be configured to threadedly engage threads of a bolt or other fastener inserted therein or to deflect and compressively engage a fastener positioned therein. Fingers40facilitate pre-assembly of striker10with appropriate fasteners and the retention of the fasteners in proper position for securing striker10within the vehicle. Thus, installation of striker10is facilitated.

Further, fingers40directed angularly inwardly and away from the side from which the fasteners are installed can extend beyond the surface of base15opposite the surface from which protuberance22extends. Extended in such manner, fingers40can be used to center hole20relative to an opening in a panel or frame member against which striker10is fastened.

A boss42formed around hole20provides a countersink depression for receiving and centering a head of a fastener. Boss42, together with fingers40, ensure facilitates the proper alignment of all components as the fastener is tightened.

Those skilled in the art will understand readily that in drawing, stamping or otherwise forming body12a variety of gussets44, beads or channels46and the like can be formed to strengthen and rigidify the final structure of body12.

Although shown and described as a cylindrical, protuberance22and projection30can be of other cross-sectional shapes, and insert14, if used, can be of a similar cross-sectional shape to fit within the axially aligned protuberance22and projection30. For example, each can be of rectangular or other cross-sectional shapes.