US2275760A - Hasp and staple fastener - Google Patents

Description

March 1942- R. R. HOFFMAN HASP AND STAPLE FASTENER Filed Sept. 25, 1939 2 Sheet's-Sheet l QrwoMo b (Rio wag Pal oh ,Q. Hoffman 10, 194 2. R F N 2,275,769 I HASP AND STAPLE FASTENER Filed Sept. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES TET OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hasp and staple fasteners.

As is well known, the usual hasp and staple fastener is employed for latching or securing doors, or the like, in a closed position and includes a staple which is adapted to be projected through a slot in a fiat leaf or strap, generally referred to as a hasp. The haspis mounted on the door while the staple is secured to the door frame or jamb, or in the case of double doors, is secured to the second door. The hasp and staple are ordinarily screwed, or otherwise fastened, in position and when so fastened are alined with each other,- whereby the slot in the hasp is arranged to engage over the staple.

It has been found that after a time, the door,

or doors as the case may be, sag, swell, warp, or for other reasons, move out of proper or original position, with the result that the staple and hasp become misalined. When this occurs, it is difilcult to engage the parts because the staple, being 1 pensating for misalinement of the staple and hasp of said fastener due to sagging or warping of the door, whereby the parts may be maintained in proper position for latching under all conditions.

An important object of the invention i to provide an improved hasp and staple fastener for doors and the like, wherein either the staple or hasp, or both, are mounted to undergo vertical adjustment relative to each other, whereby these parts may be alined with each other without re- -moving the same from the door, or other memher, on which they are mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fastener, of the character described,

having one of its elements adjustably mounted 534 with relation to the other, with improved means for fastening or locking the adjustable element in its various adjusted position. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved door fastener element having a vertical slot therein, whereby a fastening bolt may be passed therethrough to mount the element on the door so that said element may slide on said bolt; said bolt also being arranged to frictionally clamp or look the element in various vertical positions on the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved staple element for fasteners of the character described, including, a base'arranged to be screwed, or otherwise permanently secured to the door and a fastening member slidably mounted on said base and adjustable thereon, the fastening member being constructed so as to cover the screws, or other securing means, whereby said means is inaccessible to unauthorized persons to prevent removal of said base.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hasp and staple fastener, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation-of the staple element illustrating the same moved downwardly toward a lower position,

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 44 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the fastening bolt,

Figure '7 is a front elevation of a modified form of a staple element,

Figures 8 and 9 are similar views with the element moved to various adjustedpositions,

Figure 10 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line l0-|0 of Figure 7,

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a front elevation of still another form of a staple element,

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the same,

Figure 14 is a plan view thereof,

Figure 15 is a horizontal cross- -sectiona1 view, taken on the line l5|5 of Figure 12, and

Figure 16 is a front elevation of the hasp element mounted to undergo vertical adjustment.

In the drawings, the numerals Ill and H designate a pair of swinging doors, such as are usually employed for closing garages or other enclosures. 'Ifhe usual leaf or hasp element l2 of a hasp and staple fastener is permanently affixed to the door l by suitable screws IS. The leaf or strap of the element I2 is hinged inthe usual manner to the base member lZa of said element, and the leaf is provided with an elongate slot M at its outer end. The hasp element is, of course, secured near the edge portion of the door I0, and the leaf or strap is adapted to be swung so as to overlap or overlie the adjacent door II in the usual manner.

In carrying out the invention a staple element I5 is secured to the door II and includes a base plate It which is substantially rectangular in shape. A U-shaped staple or loop I! is suitably mounted within the base plate at substantially mid-height thereof and this staple is adapted to project through the slot 14 of the leaf l2 when the latter is swung so as to overlie thedoor II. The base plate l6 of the staple element I5 is formed with an elongate vertical slot I8 which extends substantially throughout the length or height of the plate, and a fastening bolt I9 is arranged to project through said slot. The bolt l9 has an enlarged head 20 which is of a diameter larger than the transverse width of the slot l8 so that said head can not pass through the slot, and adjacent the head the bolt is provided with a square portion 2| on its shank, the remainder of the shank, being externally screwthreaded. The bolt passes through the slot 18 of the base plate i6 and then extends through an opening or bolt hole 22 provided in the door H, whereby the outer end of said bolt projects outwardly on the inner side of the door. A suitable wing nut 23 is threaded onto the projecting end of the bolt and obviously, when the nut 23 is tightened, the head of the bolt 20 is drawn into tight engagement with the base plate l6 whereby the staple element I5 is secured in position on the door ll. Of course, if desired, lock nuts could be substituted for the wing nut but it has been found that the latter permits manual manipulation thereof.

When the staple element is secured to the door H, the staple or loop 11 thereof is alined laterally, or in a horizontal plane, with the slot M in the leaf or strap l2, whereby when said leaf is swung so as to overlie the door II, the loop projects through the slot in the usual manner. It may occur that the doors l0 and II may warp or swell, with the result that misalinement of said doors takes place. Such misalinement of the doors will, of course, result in a misalinement of the staple or loop I! with the slot M in the leaf member 12 and in order to realine these parts so that the latching of the doors through the hasp may be accomplished, it is only necessary to loosen the wing nut 23 on the outer end of the bolt l9. When this is done, it is possible to slide the staple element 15 vertically, such movement being permitted by the slot and bolt. Thus, the vertical. position of the staple or loop 11, with relation to the slot M of the leaf or strap l2 may be readily accomplished. It is pointed out that during the vertical movement of the staple element, the square portion 2! on the shank of the bolt l9, which is engaged within the slot 18, prevents rotation of the staple element, whereby the same is maintained in the same vertical plane in all adjusted positions. After the adjustment of the staple is accomplished, the wing nut 23 may be again tightened to frictionally clamp or lock said staple in its adjusted position.

From the above, it will be seen that a very simple and inexpensive staple element is provid d.

The single bolt l9 serves not only to hold or fasten the staple to the door, but also permits a vertical adjustment of said staple to be easily accomplished. Also, the bolt provides a frictional lock for locking the staple in adjusted positions. Since the nut 23 on the bolt I9 is on the interior of the door II, it is manifest that unauthorized persons can not gain access to said nut to remove the staple from the door. Although it is desirable to tighten the wing nut 23 so as to frictionally lock the staple against movement from its adjusted positions, it would be possible to leave a slight clearance between the underside of the bolt head 20 and the base plate 16, in which event the staple would at all times be capable of a vertical movement. Of course, outward displacement of the staple from the door would be prevented by the bolt head but at the same time, the staple could be readily moved to the proper position each time that the hasp leaf is to be engaged thereover.

It may not, under all conditions, be desirable to drill the bolt hole 22 through the garage door H, in which case it would be best to secure the adjustable staple element to the door by means of screws. In Figures 7 to 11, a slightly modified form of the invention is shown, wherein the use of the bolt I9 is not necessary. In thisform of the invention, a mounting or supporting plate 25 is arranged to be secured to the door II by means of screws 26. The staple element [5' which is similarin construction to the element i5, is adapted to be secured to the plate 25 by means of a rivet 21. As is clearly shown in Figure 8, the head of the rivet overlies the outer face of the plate l6 of the element l5, the shank of the rivet extending through the slot [8' in said base plate. It is noted that the portion of the shank of the rivet which is within the slot I8 is square so as to prevent rotation of the plate IS on said rivet. The rivet is, of course, suitably secured in the mounting or supporting plate 25 and it is pointed out that a slight clearance is provided between the underside of the rivet head and the face of the plate 16, whereby the element [5' is slidable with relation to the mounting plate 25. The adjustment of the element l5 isobtained inexactly the same manner as in the first form, the staple element being moved vertically on the plate 25. If it is desired to lock the element l 5' in various adjusted positions, a set screw 28 may be threaded through the base plate l5 of the element l5, the inner end of said screw being arranged to frictionally engage the base of the mounting plate 25. Manifestly, when the set screw 28 is tightened, the element I5 is frictionally locked against movement on said plate.

In this form of the invention, the staple element may be applied to the door H by means of the screws 26 and it is not necessary to drill the hole 22 for the bolt IS. The fastening screws 26 are so located in the mounting plate that the base plate I6 covers said screws when the plate is in its intermediate position between the ends of the mounting plate (Figure '7). When the staple element I5 is in its lowermost position (Figure 9), only two' of the fastening screws 26 are exposed, the other two being covered by said element. Similarly, when the element [5' is in its uppermost position (Figure 8), the two lower screws of the mounting plate are exposed, while the other two are covered by'the element. With this arrangement, it is impossible for an unauthorized person to gain access to all of the screws when the hasp is in its latched position, whereby unauthorized removal of the staple element is prevented.

In Figures 12 to 15, still another modified form of the invention is shown. In this form a mounting or supporting plate 30 is arranged to be se-- cured to thedoor H by means of suitable screws 3|. The longitudinal edges of the plate 30 are bent upon themselves so as to form longitudinal grooves 32 at each side of the plate 30. The upper and lower ends of the grooves 32 are closed by crimping the inturned edges inwardly into contact with the face of the plate as shown at 33. A staple element l5a, having a substantially square base plate Ilia is arranged to be mounted on the supporting plate 30. The ends of the base plate |6a of the staple element are confined and slidable within the vertical grooves 32 formed at each side of the plate 30 and manifestly, the element l5a is slidable vertically on said plate. If desired, a suitable set screw 28a, similar to the set screw 28 in the form hereinbefore described, may be provided. This set screw is threaded through the base plate Ilia and is adapted to be engaged with the mounting plate 30 so as to hold the staple element 15a in various adjusted positions. In this form of the invention, it is not necessary to form the vertical slot in the base plate of the staple element. Obviously, the same results may be obtained with this form of the invention.

Although it is desirable that the staple element of the fastener be adjustable, with the hasp element thereof being fixed, it is evident that the hasp element could be adjustable, while the staple could be securely mounted in a fixed position. In such case, the base member l2a of the hasp maybe provided with a vertical slot 34, and a bolt 35, similar to the bolt I9, may project through this slot and also through a bolt hole or opening in the door to fasten the member [2a to the door (Figure 16). When the hasp element is so mounted, substantially the same results as to alinement of the two elements of the fastener may be obtained and therefore, it is within the spirit of the invention to make either element, or both, adjustable. Although the hasp element has been illustrated as secured to the door by means of the bolt 35, it is manifest that said element could be secured by means of a fastening plate 25, as shown in the form illustrated in Figures '7 to 11. In all forms of the invention, one of the elements of the fastener is adjustable vertically with relation to the other element, whereby a positive alinement of the two elements may be had under all conditions.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fastener for a door including, a hinged hasp element having a slot therein mounted on the door at the edge portion thereof, a staple element having a loop thereon mounted on a support adjacent the edge of the door when the door is in its closed position, the loop of said staple element being arranged to project through the slot in the hasp element when the latter is swung thereover, one of said elements having a vertical slot therein, a headed bolt extending through said slot and also through the support on which the element is mounted, the bolt and slot permitting vertical adjustment of the element, and a nut on the outer end of the bolt for tightening the bolt head against the element to frictionally lock the same in position on its support.

2. A staple element for a; hasp and staple fas-' tener including, a base plate having an elongate vertical slot therein, a loop on the outer face of the element, a headed bolt adapted to extend through the slot and also extending through a support to mount the element on said support, and a nut on the projecting end of the bolt, the slot in said plate permitting vertical movement of the element relative to its support.

3. A fastening element for a hasp and staple fastener including, a base plate having an elongate vertical slot therein, a headed bolt adapted to extend through the slot and arranged to be secured to a support to mount the element on said support, the slot in said plate permitting vertical movement of the element relative to the bolt and to its support, and means on the bolt co-acting with the slot for preventing rotation of the base plate on the bolt, said bolt and slot being so positioned that the hasp of the fastener will overlie the bolt and prevent unauthorized removal of said fastener.

4. A staple element for a door fastener including, a mounting plate, means for fastening the plate to a support, a base plate overlying the support and having an elongate slot extending therethrough, a rivet passing through the slot and secured to the mounting plate, whereby the base plate is supported for relative longitudinal movement on the mounting plate, a loop on the outer face of the base plate and spanning the slot, and a set screw threaded through the base plate and adapted to frictionally engage the mounting plate to lock the base plate in various adjusted positions on the mounting plate.

5. A staple element for a door fastener including, a mounting plate, means for fastening the plate to a support, a base plate overlying the support and having an elongate slot extending therethrough, a rivet passing through the slot and secured to the mounting plate, whereby the base plate is supported for relative longitudinal movement on the mounting plate, means on the rivet coacting with the slot to prevent rotation of the base plate on the mounting plate, a loop on the outer face of the base plate and spanning the slot, and a set screw threaded through the base plate and adapted to frictionally engage the mounting plate to lock the base plate in various adjusted positions on the mounting plate.

6. A fastener for a door including, a hinged hasp element having a lateral slot therein mounted on the door at the edge portion thereof, a staple element having a loop thereon mounted on a support adjacent the edge of the door when the door is in its closed position, the loop of said staple element being arranged to project through the slot in the hasp element when the latter is swung thereover, one of said elements having a vertical slot therein, means passing through said slot and secured to the support on which the element is mounted for fastening said element to said support, the vertical slot permitting the element to undergo vertical movement with relation to its support and also with relation to the other element so as to compensate for misalinement of the staple loop and hasp slot, and adjustable means for frictionally looking the movable element in its various adjusted vertical positions the adjustability of the frictional locking means facilitating the vertical movement of said element, the elements being so arranged relative to each other that the hasp element will overlie substantially the entire portions of the slot and fastening means when the the slot, and a single fastening element extend- 10 ing through said slot and secured in a support to mountthe plate on the support for vertical movement, the spanning of the central portion of the slot by the loop assuring the substantially complete covering of the fastening element by any hasp element engaging said loop in substantially all positions of said base plate so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the fastener.

RALPH R. HOFFMAN.

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