Abstract:
A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to tool boxes, and, more particularly, to a self-adjusting striker assembly for use with latches in tool boxes that accommodates misalignment between the lid of the box and the latches. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the most popular accessories for trucks and recreational vehicles is a truck tool box used to store and secure a variety of tools and other items in the bed of the vehicles. There are a number of different types of truck boxes, including cross-over boxes, side mount boxes, chest boxes, top mount boxes, RV boxes and others. Each truck box is typically formed of aluminum tread plate, and comprises a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and opposed end walls which are interconnected to define a hollow interior. The truck box interior is closed by a top lid that is pivotal on one or more hinges, usually with the assistance of gas springs. 
     In many truck box designs, one or more latch mechanisms and striker bars are provided to maintain the top lid in a closed and locked position to secure the contents of the box. The latch mechanism(s) may be mounted to the front wall of the box, for example, in which case the striker bar(s) is mounted to the top lid. When the top lid is closed, each striker bar engages a latch mechanism to lock the top lid in place. In order for the striker bar and latch to properly engage one another, they must be in alignment, which, in turn, depends on appropriate alignment of the top lid and the body of the truck box. Many factors can contribute to altering the relationship between the top lid and box body, including rough handling during shipment, improper installation on the vehicle, damage to the body panels of the box during off-road adventures or the like and other factors. If each latch does not align with a striker bar, adjustment must be made in order for the top lid to properly close and lock. 
     Many striker bar—latch constructions in the prior art permit manual adjustment of the striker bar with respect to the latch. Typically, the position of the striker bar may be altered by loosening nuts securing the striker bar to the top lid or front wall of the box and then manually shifting its position relative to the latch. This can be a tedious exercise, and seems to invariably occur when the vehicle owner has the least amount of time to correct the situation. 
     Self-adjusting striker bar assemblies have been suggested in the prior art as a means of providing at least some adjustment of the position of the striker bar relative to the latch without the need for manual intervention. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,416,228 and 5,342,103. In these patents, the striker bar is pivotally mounted to the top lid or box body and can move in a swinging, pendulum-type motion relative to the latch mechanism which is mounted on or adjacent to a plate formed with a notch. In the event of misalignment between the striker bar and latch mechanism, the striker bar contacts a side of the notch and pivots to a position in alignment with the latch mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a self-adjusting striker assembly for use with a truck box, or essentially any other type of box, having a hollow interior defined by a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls and a pivotal top lid. The self-adjusting striker assembly provides for linear movement of a striker bar, in a direction between the end walls of the box, so that it can properly align with a latch mechanism even if the relationship between the top lid of the box and the box body is altered. 
     In one presently preferred embodiment, the self-adjusting striker assembly of this invention may comprise a base mounted to the top lid of the box assuming the latch mechanism is connected to the box body. The base is formed with an elongated recess within which first and second threaded studs are mounted. A generally L-shaped bracket is provided including a bottom plate formed with first and second openings separated by a partition, and a perpendicular side plate having a slot for mounting a striker bar. The first and second studs of the base are received within respective openings in the bottom plate of the bracket, and such openings at least partially overlie the elongated recess in the base. A first spring is placed in the recess of the base, and extends into the first opening of the bottom plate of the bracket between the first stud and partition. A second spring is placed in the same position in the second opening of the bottom plate. The bottom plate of the bracket is sandwiched between the base and a capture plate which rests atop the bottom plate and mounts to the studs extending from the base. 
     Unlike the prior art noted above, the self-adjusting striker assembly of this invention permits movement of the bracket, and, in turn, the striker bar, in a linear, side-to-side direction. A guide plate formed with a notch may be mounted to or in proximity with each latch mechanism so that in the event of misalignment between the striker bar and latch mechanism the striker bar may contact the notch in the guide plate and shift its position from side-to-side so as to properly align with and engage the latch mechanism. Additionally, the position of the striker bar within the slot in the side plate of the bracket may be manually adjusted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one type of truck box with which the self-adjusting striker assembly of this invention may be utilized; 
         FIG. 2  is a disassembled, perspective view of the assembly herein: 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly, in an assembled condition, and a guide plate employed with a latch mounted to the truck box; and 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of a portion of a mounting rail located along the front wall of the truck box, showing a portion of a latch and the guide plate depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a truck tool box  10  is schematically depicted which comprises a front wall  12 , a back wall (not shown), a bottom wall  14 , opposed end walls  16  and  18 , and, a top lid  20  pivotally mounted to the back wall. The walls  12 - 18  are interconnected to form a hollow interior. It should be understood that the particular configuration of the box  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is intended for purposes of illustration only, and the invention described below is applicable to essentially any type of box including various other truck tool boxes such as side mount boxes, chest boxes, top mount boxes and RV boxes. For purposes of the present discussion, terms “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “inwardly,” “outwardly” and the like refer to the orientation of the truck tool box  10  as viewed in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the self-adjusting striker assembly  22  of this invention is illustrated. The assembly  22  comprises a base  24  formed with an elongated recess  26 . A threaded stud  28  is mounted at one end of the recess  26 , and a second threaded stud  30  is mounted at the opposite end. A generally L-shaped bracket  32  is mounted to the base  10 , as described below, and it is formed with a horizontally extending bottom plate  34  connected to or integrally formed with a vertically extending side plate  36 . 
     The bottom plate  34  of bracket  32  is formed with a first opening  38  having opposed ends  40  and  42 , and, a second opening  44  having opposed ends  46  and  48 . The ends  42  and  46  of openings  38 ,  44 , respectively, are separated by a partition  50 . The side plate  36  of the bracket  32  is formed with a vertically extending, elongated slot  52  which mounts a striker bar  54 , preferably in the form of a U-bolt. The striker bar  54  has spaced arms  56  and  58  connected by a cross member  60 . The end of each arm  56 ,  58  is threaded to receive nuts  62 , one located on either side of the side plate  36 , and the position of the striker bar  54  may be adjusted vertically along the slot  52  by loosening the nuts  62 , sliding the striker bar  54  to the desired position, and then tightening the nuts  62 . A capture plate  64  is also provided which is formed with spaced through holes  66  and  68 . Each through hole  66 ,  68  receives a flange washer  70  and  71 , respectively. 
     The striker assembly  22  may be assembled as follows. Initially, the bottom plate  34  of the bracket  32  is placed onto the base plate  24  so that the stud  28  extends through the first opening  38  in the bottom plate  34  and the stud  30  extends through the second opening  44 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , a first coil spring  72  is fitted into the recess  26  in base  24  and into that portion of the first opening  38  in the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32  between the partition  46  and stud  28 , e.g. the ends of the first coil spring  72  extend between the end  42  of opening  38  and stud  28 . Similarly, a second coil spring  74  is fitted into the recess  26  and into that portion of the first opening  44  in the bottom plate  34  between the partition  50  and the stud  30 . 
     With the coil springs  72 ,  74  in place, the capture plate  64  may be positioned atop the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32  such that the stud  28  of base  24  extends through the opening  66  of the capture plate  64  and the stud  30  extends through the opening  68  therein. The flange washer  70  is inserted through the through hole  68  in capture plate  64 , and then through the opening  38  in the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32 , onto the stud  28 . A portion of the stud  28  protrudes upwardly from the capture plate  64  to receive a cap nut  76 . The flange washer  71  is assembled in the same way onto stud  30 , and a second cap nut  78  may be tightened down on the exposed end of the stud  30 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the flange washers  70  and  71  in place on respective studs  28 ,  30 , with the capture plate  64  being removed for ease of illustration. The capture plate  64  and flange washers  70 ,  71  position the bottom plate  34  of the bracket  32  such that a space is provided between the stud  28  and the end  40  of opening  38  in bottom plate  34  and between the stud  30  and the end  48  of the opening  44 . 
     As noted above, the striker assembly  22  of this invention is employed with a latch to close, and in some designs, lock the box  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a mounting rail  78  may be connected to the front wall  12  of the box  10  to receive and mount a latch  80 . The mounting rail  78  has a top plate  82 , a side plate  84  and a bottom plate  86  which are connected to form a channel structure as shown in  FIG. 5 . Only a portion of the mounting rail  78  is depicted in  FIG. 5 , and it should be understood that it extends along the length of the front wall  12  between the end walls  16 ,  18 . Additionally, preferably two latches  80  and two striker assemblies  22  are employed with most boxes  10 . 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, a guide plate  88  is either mounted on or immediately adjacent to the latch  80 . The guide plate  88  is formed with a notch  90  having an expanded mouth or open end  92 . A cutout  94  is formed in the top plate  82  of mounting rail  78 , and a slot  96  extends along its side plate  84 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the latch  80  and guide plate  88  are connected to the mounting rail  78  so that the open end  92  of the guide plate  88  aligns with the cutout  94  and its notch  90  aligns with the slot  96  in side plate  84 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the striker assembly  22  may be mounted to the top lid  20  of the box  10  and the latch  80  may be connected to the moving rail  78  in alignment with the striker assembly  22 , e.g. the orientation depicted in  FIG. 4 . However, it should be understood that the positions of the striker assembly  22  and latch  80  could be reversed. The latch  80  has been removed in  FIG. 4  for clarity, and for purposes of the discussion below. 
     The first and second coil springs  72 ,  74  bias the bracket  32  to a neutral position as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The term “neutral” in this context refers to a centered position of the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32  on the base  24 . If the striker assembly  22  and latch  80  are correctly aligned with one another, as the top lid  20  is closed the striker bar  54  enters notch  90  in guide plate  88  and extends into engagement with the latch  80  without contacting the guide plate  88  along its open end  92 . In the event of misalignment between the striker bar  54  and latch  80 , as the top lid  20  is closed the striker bar  54  makes contact with the open end  92  of the notch  90  in guide plate  88 . For purposes of illustration, the striker bar  54  is shown engaging the left-hand side of the open end  92  of notch  90  in  FIG. 4 . With such misalignment, upon contact of the striker bar  54  with the open end  92  of notch  90  the bracket  32  moves to the right along base  10  in the direction of arrow  98 . As the top lid  20  continues to close, the striker bar  54  slides along the side of open end  92  and then enters the notch  90  in guide plate  88  so that it can properly engage the latch  80 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the connection between the base  24  and bracket  32  allows for side-to-side movement of the bracket  32  with respect to base  24  in the direction of arrow  100 . Such movement is linear, e.g. generally along an axis  102  extending in between the studs  28 ,  30 , as schematically depicted in  FIG. 3 . When misalignment between the striker bar  54  and the notch  90  in guide plate  88  occurs, the bracket  32  is moved to the left or to the right as viewed in  FIG. 3  thus compressing one of the first and second coil springs  72 ,  74 . For example, movement of the bracket  32  to the right as viewed in  FIG. 3  causes the second coil spring  74  to compress in between stud  30  and partition  50 . The opposite stud  28  acts as a stop to limit such right-hand movement because the end  40  of opening  38  in the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32  engages the stud  28  thus preventing further movement to the right. The extent of travel of the bracket  32  to the right is governed by the space between the stud  28  and the end  40  of the opening  38  in bottom plate  34 . The same thing occurs upon movement of the bracket  32  to the left as viewed in  FIG. 4 , e.g. the first coil spring  72  is compressed between the stud  28  and partition  50 , and the stud  30  stops such movement to the left upon engagement with the end  48  of opening  44  in the bottom plate  34  of bracket  32 . Once the striker bar  54  disengages the latch  80 , such as when the top lid  20  is moved to an open position, whichever coil spring  72 ,  74  that was compressed, as noted above, biases the bracket  32  back to the neutral position. 
     The striker assembly  22  provides a convenient means of accommodating misalignment between the striker bar  54  and latch  80  in a side-to-side direction, e.g. linearly, generally along axis  102 . In some instances, the striker bar  54  may fail to properly engage the latch  80  due to a vertical misalignment. The term “vertical misalignment” refers to the relative position of the striker bar  54  and latch  80  when the top lid  20  is closed, wherein the striker bar  54  fails to seat within the latch  80  or is positioned too close to the latch  80 . In that event, as noted above, the striker bar  54  may be moved along the slot  52  in the side plate  36  of bracket  22  in a direction toward or away from the latch  80  when the top lid  20  is closed. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.