Abstract:
The present invention provides a striker with dampening features. The striker provides for improved noise and vibration control characteristics. The striker also reduces or eliminates chucking, squeak and rattle concerns in a door closure. The striker may include a base for mounting to a support structure, such as a vehicle. The striker may include a post capable of engaging the latch mechanism. The striker may also include a bridge that may extend between the back wall and the post. The striker may also have at least one protrusion located along a side of the bridge that is capable of engaging the latch mechanism. The striker may further include a wedge located adjacent the back wall and capable of wedged engagement with the fishmouth.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/005,972, entitled “Striker With Damper,” filed on Dec. 10, 2007, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to strikers, and more particularly, to strikers with improved noise and vibration characteristics. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As is known in the art, many vehicles with doors, liftgates, or the like, have had issues with the rear end of the vehicle distorting as the vehicle runs over a rough road. This distortion causes significant deflection of the door relative to the door opening. This deflection is large enough for contact to be made between the door and the opening or at a high enough frequency that noise is emitted from the system. The present invention addresses this by providing a door latch striker to lessen this relative motion and eliminate the noise concerns. 
         [0004]    A variety of latching mechanisms are known in the art and are used within the automotive industry for releasably coupling various movable components to the vehicle body. For example, latches are used for releasably coupling doors (e.g. passenger doors, liftgate, hood, trunk, etc.) to vehicles. The latching mechanisms are generally operable in a latched mode to secure the door to the vehicle body and in an unlatched mode where the door is freely movable relative to the vehicle body. The latching mechanisms typically include a latch that engages a striker when the door is in a closed position. The latch is typically secured near an edge of the door, and a striker is typically secured to the vehicle body. 
         [0005]    Generally, only one edge of a door is releasably coupled to the vehicle body by way of one or more hinge mechanisms, or the like. A latch is typically mounted to the edge opposite the hinge mechanism. Also, the side edges of the door are generally not hinged or physically connected to the vehicle body. Therefore, motion of the vehicle can result in “match-boxing”, or non-parallel deflection of the vehicle body relative to the side edges of the door. This match-boxing is undesirable, in part, because it imparts additional vehicle noise, known as “chucking”, as the vehicle travels along rough or uneven surfaces. 
         [0006]    Manufacturers often employ a variety of anti-chucking hardware to reduce the chucking resulting from match-box deflection. Common anti-chucking hardware includes wedges and spring-loaded bumpers that are positioned between the door edges and vehicle body such that some deflection load from the match-boxing is transferred to the door. Some latches may have a moveable wedge driven by a spring, where the wedge is designed to continually tighten against the striker to maintain zero clearance within the given gap. However, in some instances, the door dynamics and loading are so severe that the wedges and bumpers can be bounced out of position, thereby becoming completely ineffective. In addition, dirt and ice frequently compound this problem by further urging the wedges and/or bumpers out of position. 
         [0007]    Another attempt at reducing chucking involves providing the fishmouth of the latch with features to reduce clearance between the striker bridge and fishmouth in order to control and minimize the relative motion between the striker and the latch. Typically, the interior walls of the fishmouth are provided with hard plastic flaps that are backed by an elastomeric material, which provides stiffness with compliance. The flaps may allow the housing to be more compliant while being more durable than just an elastomer. This allows the fishmouth to conform to the striker bridge to enhance the engagement between the striker and the latch. However, this system has proven to have limited effectiveness in the absence of corresponding protruding features included in the striker bridge. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a striker with improved noise and vibration control characteristics. The striker of the present invention is designed to reduce or eliminate chucking, squeak and rattle concerns in a door closure. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a striker. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second perspective view of the striker of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an environmental view of the striker of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a striker. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second perspective new of the striker of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the striker of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates an environmental view of the striker of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates a second cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a striker. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the striker of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  illustrates an environmental view of the striker of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with Figure 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  illustrates a second cross-sectional environmental view in accordance with  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    A striker for mounting to a support structure and for engagement with a latch mechanism having a fishmouth. The striker may include a base, a back wall and a post. The base may have at least one aperture for connecting the base to the support structure. The back wall may extend upwardly from the base and have an upper end. The post may extend upwardly from the base and have an upper end. The upper end of the post may be capable of engaging the latch mechanism. 
         [0027]    The striker may also include a bridge that may extend between the upper end of the back wall and the upper end of the post. The striker may also have at least one protrusion located along a side of the bridge, wherein the protrusion is capable of wedged engagement with the fishmouth. Alternatively, the bridge and the post may be capable of wedged engagement with the fishmouth. The striker may further include a wedge located adjacent the back wall and capable of wedged engagement with the fishmouth. 
         [0028]    A wedge may be capable of being connected to a striker. The wedge may include a base for connecting with the striker and at least one wedge connected to the base. The wedge may also include a pair of opposing wedge surfaces located on the wedge, wherein one surface may comprise a deformable elastomeric material and an opposite surface may comprise a rigid material. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    While the invention is described herein with reference to several embodiments, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited only to the embodiments disclosed or discussed. The description of the embodiments herein is illustrative of the invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as described or claimed. 
         [0030]    As generally described herein, the present invention provides a striker  10  with dampening features. Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a first embodiment of a striker  10  is shown. The striker  10  may include a base  20 , which may serves as a mounting structure. Fasteners (not shown) may be passed or extended through apertures  25  to mount and secure the striker  10  to a surrounding structure. The surrounding structure may be, for example, a doorframe of an automobile body or the like. The base  20  may also include a boss  27 . Extending from or otherwise attached to the base  20  may be a back wall  30  that may also serve as a structural feature of the striker  10 . The back wall  30  may be utilized as an additional mounting structure or surface through which fasteners may be passed or extended to mount and secure the striker  10  to a body. The base  20  and back wall  30  may be formed from a single integral piece of material, such as steel or any other appropriate material. Alternatively, the base  20  and back wall  30  may be separate pieces that may be secured to one another by any appropriate means, including but not limited to welding, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, etc. and the like. 
         [0031]    The striker  20  may further include a bridge  40  and a post  50 . The post may include a first end  55  and a second end  56 . The bridge  40  may extend from the back wall  30  to the second end  56  of the post  50 . The bridge  40  may also include an additional material, such as steel or the like, to aid in guiding the door around the wedge like features. The post  50  may extend from the base  20  to the bridge  40 . The bridge  40  and the post  50  may be formed from a single integral piece of material, such as steel or any other appropriate material. Alternatively, the bridge  40  and the post  50  may be separate pieces that are secured to one another by any appropriate means, including but not limited to welding, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, etc. and the like. The first end  55  of the post  50  may be fitted into or through the base  20 . For example, the post  50  may be fitted through the boss  27  in the base  20  and secured thereto by any appropriate means, such as stamping, welding, mechanical fastening, adhesive and the like. As a further alternative, the base  20 , the back wall  30 , the bridge  40 , and the post  50  may be formed from a single integral piece of material. 
         [0032]    The exterior configuration of the post  50  between the base  20  and the bridge  40  may be of any appropriate shape or size, but is preferably of a cylindrical shape so that it may easily engage with the catch of a latch. It will be appreciated, however, that any other configuration or shape is possible, including but not limited to oblate, elliptical, spherical, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. 
         [0033]    The bridge  40  may be connected to the back wall  30  by any appropriate means, including but not limited to welding, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, etc. and the like. However, it will be appreciated that the bridge  40  and the back wall  30  may be a single integral piece. In addition, either one or both sides of the bridge  40  may include a contoured profile or projection  45  that projects outward relative to the centerline of the bridge  40 . When the striker  10  is fully engaged with a latch  100 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 , the projection(s)  45  may exert pressure on a corresponding interior wall of the fishmouth  105 . This engagement between the projection  45  and fishmouth  105  may reduce noise, vibration and chucking. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/732,351, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes in further detail such bridge protrusions, various design options for such bridge protrusions and their mode(s) of operation. 
         [0034]    The striker  10  may also include a wedge  60  and a bumper  70 . The wedge  60  and the bumper  70  may be single integral piece or may be separate pieces that may be secured to one another by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, sonic welding, adhesive, mechanical fastening, or the like. The wedge  60  may engage the fishmouth  105  of the latch  100  to thereby reduce lateral deflection of a vehicle door within a doorframe when the striker  10  and latch  100  are engaged. The wedge  60  may also include a rigid portion  62  and a pliable portion  64 . As an alternative, the wedge  60  may include two rigid portions, two pliable portions, a single rigid portion, or a single pliable portion. 
         [0035]    The striker  10  may have two sets of wedge bumpers. The first set of wedge bumpers  62 ,  64  that may or may not be built in. The rigid wedge bumper  62  may be designed to manage mostly side-to-side motion in the gate. This set has one rigid wedge bumper  62  that guides the striker  10  into the latch  100  while supporting the latch  100  and door from moving when the door is closed. The resilient or pliable wedge bumper  64  may be covered with a hard plastic, however it has a more forgiving elastic backing. This wedge  64  is designed to allow for easy closing of the gate while providing a high degree of side-to-side support to the door. 
         [0036]    The second set of wedge bumpers  70  may be more symmetrical in design. Their surface may be elastomeric and more compliant than the first set of bumpers. The bumpers  70  may supply a balance of side to side and fore and aft support to the door relative to the gate. These bumpers  70  supply less side-to-side support to the door than the other bumpers  62 ,  64 . These features supply an advantage over the existing technology in that the prior designs relied on the latch to supply an elastomer backed support feature. As an alternative, the striker  10  may include only the bumper(s)  70 , the rigid wedge bumper(s)  62 , or the pliable wedge bumper(s)  64 , or any combination of the bumpers and wedge bumpers. 
         [0037]    The striker  10  may be able to absorb vibration and reduce relative motion between the latch  100  and striker  10  and door and door opening. This reduction in relative motion eliminates contact between otherwise incompatible components in the door system reducing and eliminating objectionable noises. 
         [0038]    The rigid portion  62  may be constructed from any appropriate material, such as plastic, metal, composite, etc. or the like. The rigid portion  62  may guide the striker  10  into the fishmouth  105  and bias the latch fishmouth  105  against the pliable portion  64  of the wedge  60 . 
         [0039]    The pliable portion  64  of the wedge  60  may also include a resilient body  72  that may be constructed from any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, an elastomer or the like. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the resilient body  72  may be an integral portion of the bumper  70 ; however, it will be appreciated that the resilient body  72  may be completely separate body from the bumper  70 . Alternatively, the pliable portion  64  may be constructed from a rigid material, such as a plastic or the like. The pliable portion  64  may also include interior voids or the like, so as to provide the pliable portion  64  with mechanically resilient properties. The pliable portion  64  may have a steeper angle as compared to the corresponding mating surface  120  of the fishmouth  105 . The pliable portion  64  may partially conform to the mating surface  120  so that the fishmouth  105  may releasably engage the wedge  60  when the striker  10  and the latch  100  are engaged. The pliable portion  64  may also be operable to absorb vibration during vehicle travel as well as ensure suitable engagement between the striker  10  and the latch  100 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, the resilient body  72  may be encapsulated in or sandwiched between one or more rigid shells  66 . The rigid shell  66  may include one or more openings (not shown) that may expose portions of the underlying resilient body  72  whereby the resilient body  72  may dampen sound during the closing of the door. In addition, the shell  66  may act as a friction plate while a automobile is moving along a road. For example, the resilient body  72  may be exposed through the openings to apply friction. Such exposure may direct door loads onto the striker  10  more effectively. 
         [0041]    The bumper  70  may be secured to the striker  10  by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, adhesive, mechanical fastening, or the like. The bumper  70  may be constructed from appropriate material, including but not limited to an elastomer or the like. The bumper  70  may be arranged to engage an aperture  115  in the latch support plate  110 . In addition, the bumper  70  may engage a portion of the fishmouth  105 . The bumper  70  may also absorb longitudinal and lateral vibrations or direct loads from the latch  100  to the striker  10 . 
         [0042]    In use, as best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the latch  100  may be introduced to the striker  10  whereby the post  50  and the bridge  40  enter the fishmouth  105  of the latch  100 . As the fishmouth  105  moves towards the back wall  30  of the striker  10 , the rigid portion  62  of the wedge  60  may urge the mating surface  120  of the fishmouth  105  against the pliable portion  64  of the wedge  60 , whereby the latch  100  and the striker  10  are releasably engaged. In addition, the bumper  70  may be disposed within the aperture  115  of the latch support plate  110  and may also engage a portion of the fishmouth  105 . Once the striker  10  and latch  100  are engaged, the wedge  60  and the bumper  70  may be operable to absorb and otherwise reduce noise and vibration due to door closure as well as vehicle travel. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-11 , a second embodiment of a striker  10  is shown. This embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , so the prior element numbering, insofar as the base  20 , back wall  30 , bridge  40  and post  50  will be maintained. In this embodiment, the bridge  40  may include a protrusion  45  that projects outward relative to the centerline of the bridge  40 . 
         [0044]    In addition, the striker may include a pliable wedge  200  and a bumper  300 . The wedge  200  and the bumper  300  may be integral or separate pieces that are secured to one another by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, sonic welding, adhesive, mechanical fastening, or the like. The pliable wedge  200  may extend from the base  20  to the side of the bridge  40  located opposite to that of the protrusion  45 . The pliable wedge  200  may include a rigid shell  210  that encompasses a resilient body  220 . The rigid shell  210  may be constructed from any appropriate material, such as plastic, metal, composite, etc. or the like. The resilient body  220  may be constructed from any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, an elastomer or the like. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the wedge  200  may be constructed entirely from a rigid and durable material, yet provided with interior voids and the like so as to provide the wedge  200  with mechanically resilient properties. The pliable wedge  200  may partially conform to the mating surface  120  such that the fishmouth  105  releasably engages the wedge  200  when the striker  10  and the latch  100  are engaged. Consequently, the pliable wedge  200  may absorb vibration during vehicle travel as well as ensure suitable engagement between the striker  10  and the latch  100 . 
         [0045]    Additionally, the shell  210  may include one or more openings  230  that expose portions of the resilient body  220 . As previously discussed, the openings  230  may permit the resilient body  220  to dampen sound during door closing, as well as allow the resilient body  220  to apply friction that may direct door loads onto the striker more effectively. 
         [0046]    The bumper  300  may be secured to the striker  10  by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, adhesive, mechanical fastening, or the like. The bumper  300  may be constructed from any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, composite, etc. or the like Alternatively, the bumper  300  may be constructed from a resilient material such as, for example, an elastomer or the like. In an embodiment, the shell  210  of the wedge  200  may be the same material as the bumper  300 . While not shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , the bumper  300  may be arranged to engage an aperture  115  in the latch support plate  110 . In addition, the bumper  300  may engage a portion of the fishmouth  105  of the latch  100 . The bumper  300  may also absorb longitudinal and lateral vibrations. In addition, the bumper  300  may direct loads from the latch  100  to the striker  10 . 
         [0047]    In use, as best shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the latch  100  may be introduced to the striker  10  whereby the post  50  and the bridge  40  enter the fishmouth  105  of the latch  100 . As the fishmouth  105  moves towards the back wall  30  of the striker  10 , the protrusion  45  of the bridge  40  urges the mating surface  120  of the fishmouth  105  against the pliable wedge  200  whereby the latch  100  and the striker  10  are releasably engaged. In addition, the bumper  300  may be disposed within the aperture  115  of the latch support plate  110  and may also engage a portion of the fishmouth  105 . Once the striker  10  and latch  100  are engaged, the wedge  200  and the bumper  300  may absorb and otherwise reduce noise and vibration due to door closure as well as vehicle travel. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-17 , a third embodiment of a striker  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the post, the bridge and the back wall are replaced with a U-shaped bar  400 . The U-shaped bar  400  may include a first leg  410 , a second leg  420 , and a bridge portion  415 . The first leg  410  of the bar  400  may engage the fishmouth  105  and pawl (not shown) of the latch  100  and the second leg  420  may engage a wedge  500 . The bridge portion  415  may be located between and interconnect the first and second legs  410 ,  420 . The lower ends of the first and second legs  410 ,  420  may be secured to the base  20 . For example, the legs  410 ,  420  may be fitted through a boss  27  in the base  20  and secured thereto by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, stamping, welding, mechanical fastening, adhesive or the like. The U-shaped bar  400  may be of any appropriate size or shape but is preferably of a generally circular cross-section. It will be appreciated that any suitable cross-section shape may be employed, including, but not limited to, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. 
         [0049]    The wedge  500  may be secured about the second leg  420 . The wedge  500  may include a rigid wall  510  and a pliable wall  520 . Alternatively, the wedge  500  may include two rigid walls, two pliable walls, a single rigid wall, or a single pliable wall. In addition, it will be understood that a bumper (not shown) as described above and similar to that of the first embodiment may also be secured about the second leg  420  and/or wedge  500 . 
         [0050]    A central bridge  515  may interconnect the rigid and pliable walls  510 ,  520 . The rigid wall  510  may be constructed from any appropriate material such as plastic, metal or composite or the like. The rigid wall  510  may be operable to guide the striker  10  into the latch fishmouth  105  against the pliable wall  520 . 
         [0051]    The pliable wall  520  may include a resilient body  525  that may be constructed from any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, an elastomer or the like. The resilient body  525  may be sandwiched within a shell  530 . Alternatively, the pliable wall  520  may be constructed from a rigid material, such as a plastic, but may also include interior voids so as to provide the pliable wall  520  with mechanically resilient properties. The pliable wall  520  may partially conform to the mating surface  120  of the fishmouth  105  such that the fishmouth  105  may releasably engage the wedge  500  when the striker  10  and the latch  100  are engaged. Consequently, the pliable wall  520  may be operable to absorb vibration during vehicle travel as well as ensure suitable engagement between the striker  10  and latch  100 . 
         [0052]    Additionally, the shell  530  may include one or more openings  540  that expose portions of the resilient body  525 . As discussed above, the openings may permit the resilient body  525  to dampen sound during door closing, as well as allow the resilient body  520  to apply friction that may direct door loads onto the striker more effectively. Furthermore, the wedge  500  may also include a tab  505  that may be disposed within a corresponding aperture  21  in the base  20  to prevent rotation of the wedge  500  about the leg  420 . 
         [0053]    In use, as best shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , the latch  100  may be introduced to the striker  10  whereby the first leg  410  and the bridge portion  415  enter the fishmouth  105  of the latch  100 . As the fishmouth  105  moves towards the second leg  420  of the striker  10 , the rigid wall  510  may urge the mating surface  120  of the fishmouth  105  against the pliable wall  520 , whereby the latch  100  and the striker  10  are releasably engaged. Once the striker  10  and the latch  100  are engaged, the wedge  500  may be operable to absorb and otherwise reduce noise and vibration due to door closure as well as vehicle travel. 
         [0054]    The embodiments of the invention have been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. 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.