Method of aligning a striker plate with a latch body of a door latch mechanism

{
  "publication_number": "US5282305A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Method of aligning a striker plate with a latch body of a door latch mechanism",
  "abstract": "A method for individually setting the position of a door striker plate (20) relative to the latch body which has to engage with the striker plate. The tool (22) comprises a plate (40) which locates around the striker plate, and which can be clamped by means of vacuum to the door pillar (14) at any position. The method provides that the striker plate (20) is loosely secured to the door pillar (14), the door (10) is closed so that the latch mounted on the door moves the stalker plate to the correct position for that latch, the tool is operated to clamp the striker plate in that position, the door is opened and the striker plate tightened in that position before releasing the tool.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for aligning first and second latch members of a latch mechanism, said method comprising: securing said first latch member firmly to a first surface; securing said second latch member loosely to a second surface; bringing said first and second surfaces together such that said first and second latch members contact each other and said first latch member moves said second latch member to a corrected position, said corrected position being one in which said first and second latch members are aligned for accurate engagement when said latch mechanism is in its closed position; fixing said second latch member to said second surface at said corrected position using temporary fixing means; separating said first latch member from said second latch member and said first surface from said second surface; securing said second latch member firmly to said second surface at said corrected position; and disengaging said temporary fixing means.",
    "2. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said temporary fixing means includes an opening therethrough which is complementary in shape to that of said second latch member, said second latch member being situated within said opening when said second latch member is fixed to said second surface by said temporary fixing means.",
    "3. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second latch member is a striker plate, and said first latch member is a latch body.",
    "4. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said temporary fixing means is mounted to said second surface in surrounding relation with said striker plate before said first and second latch members and said first and second surfaces are brought together."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to a tool for setting the position of a latch member on a surface. The invention is useful wherever a closure member, such as a door provided with a latch, has to be assembled so that the latch and its striker plate meet up together correctly. The invention is particularly useful for the mass production of articles which include closure members.\n\nIn this specification, the term \"closure member\" includes doors and gates, vehicle boot lids,, tailgates and bonnets and any other closure for an opening which has a latch by which it is held shut. The term \"latch\" includes any type of latching mechanism for such closures, and will comprise two latch members, one on the closure member and one on a frame surrounding the closure opening. The invention can be used to set the position of either latch member. Normally the term \"latch body\" will designate the latch member on the closure member, and the term \"striker plate\" will designate, the latch member fixed on the frame. The term \"striker plate\" however includes any fixed part of any sort of latching member used for holding a closure member shut, whatever the construction of the fixed part.\n\nIn the mass production of items such as motor vehicles, manufacturing tolerances exist and in the final assembly of, for example, car doors, the sum of all the relevant tolerances can lead to small inaccuracies in the positioning of the door latch for satisfactory door operation. It is important that the striker plate, which is fitted on the fixed part of the vehicle body is in the correct position relative to the latch, which is fitted to the door edge.",
  "cpc": [
    "E05B 17/06",
    "Y10T 29/49895",
    "Y10T 29/49902"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 19/00",
    "E05B 15/02",
    "E05B 17/06",
    "E05B 9/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Ford Motor Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kenneth G. Nutt",
    "Ronald Pinckney"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1991-02-06",
  "publication_date": "1994-02-01",
  "grant_date": "1994-02-01",
  "priority_date": "1990-02-08",
  "application_number": "US-92030792-A",
  "family_id": "10670642",
  "cited_by_count": 23,
  "citations": [
    "US2946246A",
    "US3794314A",
    "US4744135A"
  ]
}