Chrysler Corporation

Elden E Schneck

Earl L Watson

Glenn D Holland

An overcenter latch for securing a closure to a body panel includes a panel bracket disposed opposite a closure striker block with a rubber link pivotally connecting the bracket and an operating handle. The block has spaced apart outwardly opening recesses each having a transverse raceway providing opposed inboard and outboard pivot sockets. A pair of depending handle prongs, each terminating in an arcuate cam, are adapted to snap overcenter on an associated raceway for pivotal reception between respective inboard and outboard pairs of sockets. The cams are readily positioned in their associated inboard sockets without the link being tensed. During latching, the handle cams are initially rotated about an inboard socket axis to an overcenter point, wherein the link is tensed to a predetermined dimension less than the links theoretical latching overcenter length. At this point the cams snap outboard to their associated outboard pivot socket axis, whereby the handle is rotated to its latched position resulting in reduced operator latching effort. During unlatching, the handle cams are initially rotated about the outboard socket axis to an overcenter point, wherein the link is tensed to a predetermined dimension greater than the link's theoretical latching overcenter length resulting in increased operator unlatching effort, obviating inadvertent unlatching.

Vehicle overcenter closure latch

A solid, non-adjustable checking fixture adaptable for use in checking distances at selected angles off vertical to each of the tires and fenders or other type guards over the tires of all vehicle models. The fixture serves to permit fast and efficient manual checking of such distances in order to comply with E.E.C. 'European Tire Coverage Standard.' The fixture includes plates mounted on a base at the specified angles, and markings on the base having scales proportioned horizontally to heights of respective points along the angled plates corresponding to the vertical heights of the centers of the wheel axles.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Elden E Schneck