Abstract:
A latch striker may be used in a vehicle to hingedly attach a door, such as a glove box door to an instrument panel of a vehicle such that the door may be selectively opened and closed. The latch striker of the present embodiment may comprise a body, a latch bar attached to the body at an end of the body. The latch bar is capable of removably securing to a catch mechanism of the vehicle. The latch striker may further comprise a mounting device formed in a portion of the body substantially opposite the end of the body, the mounting device is capable of attaching to the vehicle, and a light mechanism secured to the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/309,234, entitled “Latch Striker with Integral Light Mechanism,” filed on Mar. 1, 2010, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to latch strikers and, more particularly, to a latch striker with an integral light mechanism. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A variety of latching mechanisms have been used within the automotive industry for releasably coupling various movable components to the vehicle body. For example, latches L may often be used for releasably coupling doors (e.g., passenger doors, liftgate, hood, deck lid, trunk, glove box, etc.) to vehicles. In order to keep a door of the vehicle in a closed position, a latching mechanism may be provided. 
         [0004]    The latching mechanisms L may generally be operable in a latched mode to secure the door to the vehicle body and in an unlatched mode where the door may be freely movable relative to the vehicle body. Typically, the latching mechanisms may include a latch L that may engage a striker S when the door is in a closed position. The latch may typically be secured near an edge of the door, and a striker S may typically be secured to the vehicle body. 
         [0005]    Generally, a glove box door or handle H may be provided to close an opening, such as a glove box or storage area, in an instrument panel P of a vehicle. The glove box door may be hingedly mounted to the instrument panel P to allow for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position. In order to keep the door or handle H of the glove box in the closed position, a latching mechanism may be provided. 
         [0006]    The latching mechanism may include a striker S to be mounted to the instrument panel P structure. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , striker S may include a latch bar B for the glove box latch to “strike” and close around to keep the glove box door in a closed position. Striker S may also include a mounting device WN for fixing the striker S to the instrument panel P facing the surface of the door. The mounting device WN may include a fastener and a nut. 
         [0007]    A claw mechanism L may also be mounted to the glove box door. The claw mechanism may trap or catch the latch bar B of the striker S when the glove box door is in the closed position. Striker S may be utilized for releasably coupling glove box doors and the like. Often, however, it may be desirous to have a means to illuminate the inner compartments of these structures as they can be dark. The means to illuminate moreover, must not interfere with the operation of the striker and must be compact enough to fit within the tight spaces available. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A latch striker for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch striker of the present embodiment may comprise a body, a latch bar attached to the body at an end of the body. The latch bar is capable of removably securing to a catch mechanism of the vehicle. The latch striker may further comprise a mounting device formed in a portion of the body substantially opposite the end of the body, the mounting device is capable of attaching to the vehicle, and a light mechanism secured to the body. 
         [0009]    In an alternative embodiment, a latch striker is disclosed. The latch striker may comprise a first body portion, a second body portion integrally attached with the first body portion, a latch bar attached to the first body portion. The latch bar is capable of removably securing to a catch mechanism of a vehicle. The latch striker may further comprise a mounting device formed in the second body portion, where the mounting device is capable of attaching to the vehicle, and a light mechanism mounting device formed in the first body portion. 
         [0010]    Finally in yet another alternative embodiment, a latch striker for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch striker may comprise a first body portion, a second body portion attached to the first body, where the first body portion is at an angle relative to the second body portion, a latch bar attached to the first body portion, the latch bar capable of removably securing to a catch mechanism, a light mechanism mounting device integrally formed with the first body portion, and a light mechanism secured to the light mechanism mounting device. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art glove box striker. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the prior art glove box striker of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the prior art glove box striker of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a striker. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the striker of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the striker of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a latch striker with integral light mechanism. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the latch striker with integral light mechanism of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    A latch striker with an integral light mechanism  10  is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The latch striker with integral light mechanism  10  may combine the function of a striker  12 , with the capabilities of a lighting mechanism  40 . This combined latch striker with integral light mechanism  10  may eliminate the need for additional space that may result in cost and space savings. 
         [0022]    The latch striker with integral light mechanism  10  may include a striker  12  and a light mechanism  40 ; an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The striker  12  may include a body  14  that may serve as a mounting structure to mount to, for example, a vehicle, which can be seen in  FIGS. 4-6 . The body  14  may include an integrally formed first body portion or end  16 , a second body portion or end  18 , and a bend  20 . As an alternative, instead of being an integrally formed body component  14 , the two body portions  16 ,  18  may be separate pieces that may be secured to one another by any appropriate means, such as by welding, using adhesive, using mechanical fasteners, and the like. 
         [0023]    The first end  16  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape, which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The second end  18  may also be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The first end  16  and the second end  18  may each be of similarly shaped and sized configurations or of different shaped and sized configurations. 
         [0024]    The bend  20  may include an angle A, an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The angle A of the bend  20  may be of any appropriate type or degree, such as an approximately 130-140 degree angle A, an example of which is specifically shown in  FIG. 6 . The bend  20  may be located at any appropriate position along the body  14  of the striker  12 , such as in a generally central location of the body  14 . For example, the bend  20  may be located between the first body portion  16  and the second body portion  18 . The first body portion  16  may be located adjacent to and preferably at the angle A away from the second body portion  18 , due to the bend  20 . By way of a non-limiting example, the specific angle A of the bend  20  may assist with positioning the striker  12  such that the claw mechanism L of, for example, a glove box may latch and close around such striker  12 . Additionally, the specific angle A of the bend  20  may assist the striker  12  in being fixed in the appropriate position to the instrument panel P. 
         [0025]    The first body portion  16  of the striker  12  may also include a latch bar  22  and a latch opening  24 . The latch bar  22  may be of any appropriate size or shape, such as a substantially linear shape, solid cylindrical rod shape, or the like. For example, the latch bar  22  may form a general “C” shape in its profile, such as for example as shown in  FIG. 6 . In an embodiment, the latch bar may be integrally formed with the striker  12 , see  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the latch bar  22  may be a separate piece from the striker  12  that may be attached to the striker  12  by any appropriate means, such as by welding, using adhesive, using mechanical fasteners, and the like. The latch bar  22  may provide a catching mechanism whereby a glove box door may “strike” and close around the latch bar  22 . An example of such a catching mechanism is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0026]    The latch opening  24  of the striker  12  may provide room for a “claw” of the catching mechanism to catch and hold onto the latch bar  22 . The latch opening  24  may be of any appropriate size or shape, such as a generally circular, square or rectangular shape. The latch opening  24  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as adjacent the latch bar  22  on the first end  16 . 
         [0027]    The striker  12  may also include a structural lip  26 . The structural lip  26  may provide for additional strength for the striker  12 . The structural lip  26  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally curved shape. The structural lip  26  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 . By way of a non-limiting example, the structural lip  26  may extend along an outer edge of the body  14  and along an inner edge of the latch opening  24 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The structural lip  26  may be integrally formed with the body  14  of the striker  12 . Alternatively, the structural lip  26  may be a separate piece from the body  14  and attached thereto by any appropriate means, such as by welding, using adhesive, using mechanical fasteners, and the like. 
         [0028]    The second body portion  18  of the striker  12  may include an aperture  30 . The aperture  30  may be of any appropriate size or shape, such as a generally rectangular, triangular, square or circular shape. The aperture  30  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as being located at an approximate center of the second body portion  18 . For example, the aperture  30  may be located adjacent the bend area  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The aperture  30  may be integrally formed with the second body portion  18 , or alternatively, may be subsequently formed in the second body portion  18  by additional processing. 
         [0029]    The aperture  30  may also form a lip  31  located around the edge, whereby the lip may slightly protrude from the surface of the body  14 . In addition, the striker  12  may include a raised portion or boss  32  on the opposite side of the body  14 . The raised portion or boss  32  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally raised circular, square, triangular or rectangular shape. The raised portion or boss  32  may provide additional structural qualities around the aperture  30  of the striker  12 . 
         [0030]    In use, the aperture  30  of the striker  12  may be located adjacent an opening in the frame of an instrument panel P. A fastener (not shown) may be passed or extended through the aperture  30  of the striker  12  in order to mount and secure the latch striker  10  to a surrounding structure on the automobile. For example, the surrounding structure may be an instrument panel P of an automobile body or the like. The fastener (not shown) may be of any appropriate type or means, but is preferably a screw, bolt, or the like. 
         [0031]    The striker  12  may also include a light mechanism opening  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The light mechanism opening  38  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally circular, ovular, rectangular, square or triangular shape. For example, the light mechanism opening  38  may be of a correspondingly similar shape and size to that of the light mechanism  40 . The light mechanism opening  38  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as on the first end  16 . For example, the light mechanism opening  38  may be located between the bend area  20  and the latch opening  24 . The light mechanism opening  38  may be integrally formed with the first body portion  16 , or alternatively, may be subsequently formed in the first body portion  16  by additional processing. 
         [0032]    The light mechanism  40  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The light mechanism  40  may be located and secured within the light mechanism opening  38  by any appropriate means. For example, the light mechanism  40  may be secured via a frictional fit, fasteners, adhesives or the like. The light mechanism  40  may include a face  42 , a switch  44  and at least one attachment feature  46 , an example of which is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The light mechanism  40  may be an incandescent light, a light emitting diode (LED), or any other kind of light producing device. 
         [0033]    The face  42  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as of a generally planar configuration, whereby the face  42  may be generally flush with the striker body  14 . The face  42  may be located at any appropriate position on the light mechanism  40 , such as towards an end of the light mechanism  40 , such as shown in  FIG. 7 . The switch  44  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally cylindrical or rectangular shape. The switch  44  may operate to activate or deactivate a light source (not shown). The switch  44  may be activated or deactivated by any appropriate means, such as by actuating (e.g., pushing or moving) the switch to one side. 
         [0034]    The light mechanism  40  may also include attachment features  46 . The attachment features  46  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as clips, wings, tabs or other such protrusions. The attachment features  46  may be located at any appropriate position on the light mechanism  40 , such as along any side of the light mechanism  40 . The attachment features  46  may be utilized to secure the light mechanism  40  and thereby the striker  12  within the instrument panel P of the vehicle. 
         [0035]    The light mechanism  40  may illuminate closed compartments, such as glove boxes in automobiles. In use, upon opening of the glove box door, the light mechanism  40  may be actuated, such as by the switch  44  being pushed or moved. Upon actuation, power may be produced to the light source, such as an incandescent bulb (not shown), a light emitting diode (LED), or any other kind of light producing device. The light emitted from the light source may, for example, illuminate the glove box compartment. Upon closing of the glove box door, the light mechanism  40  may be actuated such that it is deactivated thereby turning off the light source. At the same time, the striker  12  may maintain the door in the closed position. By way of a non-limiting example, the switch  44  may be actuated to an illuminated position upon opening of the door and may be actuated to an off position when the door is closed. 
         [0036]    The second body portion  18  of the striker  12  may also include one or more locating features. These locating features may include a locating knob  50  and a locating tab  52 . The locating knob  50  may be of any appropriate size or shape, such as a generally rectangular, cylindrical or cone like shape extending away from a surface of the striker  12 . The locating knob  50  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as being located on the second body portion  18 , such as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In addition, the locating knob  50  may be located towards one side of the striker  12 . The locating knob  50  may be capable of accepting a fastener (not shown) whereby the fastener (not shown) is capable of attaching the striker  12  to the vehicle, such as for example the instrument panel P. 
         [0037]    The locating tab  52  may be of any appropriate size or shape, such as a generally square, triangular or rectangular shape that may extend away from a surface of the striker  12 . The locating tab  52  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as being located on the second body portion  18 , such as shown in  FIGS. 4-8 . In addition, the locating tab  52  may be located towards an opposite side of the striker  12  as that of the locating knob  50 . The locating tab  52  may extend outward in a similar direction away from the surface of the striker  12  as the locating knob  50 . In addition, the locating knob  50  and locating tab  52  may extend in either direction away from the striker  12 , whereby the knob  50  and tag  52  may both extend in the same direction or differing directions. 
         [0038]    The striker  12  may also include a tab opening  54 . The tab opening  54  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a rectangular, square or triangular shape. For example, the tab opening  54  may be of a correspondingly similar size and shape to the locating tab  52 . The tab opening  54  may be located at any appropriate position on the striker  12 , such as adjacent to the locating tab  52 . The locating features  50 ,  52  may be utilized as an additional mounting structure or surface through which fasteners may be passed or extended to mount and secure the latch striker  10  to a body. By way of a non-limiting example, the locating tab  52  may be integrally formed with the second body portion  18 . Alternatively, the tab  52  may be attached such as by welding, using adhesive, using fasteners or the like. 
         [0039]    The utilization of the locating knob  50  and locating tab  52  may further reduce the amount of handling and eliminate the need for additional welding operations, thus resulting in further cost savings. It is to be understood that these locating features  50 ,  52  may be of any other appropriate shape or appropriate means and that there may be one or more locating features on the latch striker  10 . 
         [0040]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.