Patent Application
20100307207
Embodiments of an adjustable backset lockset described herein relate generally to a lockset for use with a door, and more particularly to a lockset with an adjustable backset distance for use with doors having different backset distances.
“Backset” is the distance between the edge of a door and the relatively transverse axis of rotation about which the latch operator moves for extending and retracting a latch bolt of a latch mechanism. Backset has been standardized by the industry. Standard backsets for commercial door openings are 2⅜ inches and 2¾ inches.
Manufacturers of latch constructions have satisfied the demand for latchsets having standard backset measurements by producing and marketing two different models of latch constructions. However, maintaining an inventory of assemblies and components for locksets having two different backsets is inefficient.
An alternative is providing adjustable latch mechanisms, which have become an accepted feature of tubular locksets. Unfortunately, adjustable latch mechanism solutions for this application have typically been of insufficient strength for a Grade 1 or Grade 2 commercial lockset capable of meeting ANSI standards for “cylindrical” locks.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new lockset which is easily adjusted for mounting on doors of differing backset distances. Such adjustment should be effected in a way that provides the assembly with inherent strength. Ideally, the new lockset construction would allow for relatively quick and easy selective adjustment between the two standard backset measurements.
In accordance with an embodiment of an adjustable backset lockset, a lock assembly is provided comprising a housing, a latchbolt including an attachment member, an extension member, a retractor element, and an operator. The extension member has a length and is removeably mountable to the attachment member for effective lengthening of the latchbolt. The retractor element is disposed within the housing for linear reciprocating movement and is selectively engageable with the attachment member or with the extension member for movement with the retractor element. The operator is operatively connected to the retractor element for facilitating selective reciprocation of the retractor element for moving the latchbolt between a latched position and an unlatched position.
In accordance with another embodiment of an adjustable backset lockset, a lock assembly is provided comprising a housing, a latchbolt including an attachment member, means for effective lengthening of the latchbolt, means for linear reciprocating movement disposed within the housing, and a means for facilitating selective reciprocation of the retractor element. The effective lengthening means is removeably engageable with the attachment member. The linear reciprocating movement means is selectively engageable with the attachment member or with the effective lengthening means for movement with the linear reciprocating movement means. The means for facilitating selective reciprocation of the retractor element is for moving the latchbolt between a latched position and an unlatched position.
In accordance with another embodiment of an adjustable backset lockset, an extension member for a latchbolt of a lock assembly is provided. The latchbolt includes an attachment member. The lock assembly includes a retractor element for linear reciprocating movement and engageable with the attachment member. The extension member includes a body and a tail piece. The body has a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. The tail piece is mounted to the body and extends from the first end, and is dimensioned so as to function in place of the attachment member when engaging the retractor element. The body defines a recess adapted to receive the attachment member from the second end and to transfer force to the attachment member during linear movement of the extension member as urged by the retractor.
In accordance with another embodiment of an adjustable backset lockset, a latchbolt assembly comprises a latchbolt including a bolt tail and an extension member. The extension member is removeably mountable to the bolt tail for effectively lengthening the latchbolt.
In accordance with another embodiment of an adjustable backset lockset, a method of adjusting the backset distance of a lock assembly is provided. The method comprises providing a lock assembly having a housing, a latchbolt including an attachment member, a retractor element disposed within the housing for linear reciprocating movement, and an operator operatively connected to the retractor element for facilitating selective reciprocation of the retractor element for moving the latchbolt between a latched position and an unlatched position. An extension member is provided that is sized and shaped to be engageable with the attachment member and with the retractor element. The extension member is secured to the attachment member and the extension member is engaged with the retractor element for movement with the retractor element.
For a more complete understanding, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:
The embodiments of an adjustable backset arrangement are for use in a conventional lockset such as, for example, the locksets described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,773 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,970, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, it is understood that the overall construction of the lockset assembly is not critical and, for purposes of illustration, may be as described herein or in the above-referenced U.S. patents. Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with respect to an adjustable backset function, detailed explanations of the functioning of all of the lockset components are deemed unnecessary for understanding by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, a cylindrical lockset assembly for use with a conventional opening in a door (not shown) is shown in
The rose plates 26, 32 are each formed in a generally circular configuration and having an axial central opening 48, 50. Two pair of holes 52, 54 are formed on the periphery of each rose plate 26, 32. One pair of holes 52 is adapted to pass bolts 56 which extend through the door. The other pair of holes is provided for receiving screws (not shown) for fastening the rose plates 26, 32 to their respective roses 28, 34. A pair of inwardly extending tabs 58 is formed in the outside rose plate 32 by punching holes through the outside rose plate 32.
The roses 28, 34 are each formed in a generally circular configuration and include a side wall 60, 62 defining an inner dish-like cavity in the inside surface of the rose 28, 34. An axial opening 64, 66 is formed through each rose 28, 34 and extends through rotating spindles 68, 70 which extend outwardly from the roses. A return spring 72 is positioned in the cavity of each rose 28, 34. As described above, the rose plates 26, 32 are fastened to the roses 28, 34 using screws for retaining the springs 72 within the cavity.
The levers 30, 36 each include a handle 74, 76 which is formed integrally with a hub 78, 80. Each hub 78, 80 has an axial opening 81 which, in a locking lockset, may communicate with an axial opening formed through the handle for receiving a turn button or lock cylinder for locking of the latchbolt in the extended, or latched, position. Further, although levers are shown, it is understood that other latch operating means are suitable, such as a doorknob or the like.
Referring now to
The end caps 98 are generally circular and have a central axial opening 104. Four spaced notches 106 are formed in the end caps 98 for receiving the tabs 103 on the case 96.
The retractor 95 is formed with a base 108 having a cam surface 110 on each side and a pair of spaced, parallel arms 112. The ends of the arms 112 are formed with a pair of opposed outer lips 114, shown in
The sleeves 92, 94 are each formed with a pair of camming elements 93 at one end as shown in
In assembling the components of the chassis 40, the rollback sleeves 92, 94 are positioned so that the camming elements 93 are located adjacent the cam surfaces 110 on each side of the retractor 95. The sleeves 92, 94 and retractor 95 are then located in the case 96 between the legs 102 and close to the inner surface of the base 100. The ends of two springs 120 are positioned over a pair of spaced posts 122 extending outwardly from the base 100 of the case 96. The other ends of the springs 120 engage a retainer 124, which fits in a corresponding opening in the rear of the retractor 95 thereby placing the springs 120 in a contained position for subsequent compression. To complete the housing 90, the end caps 98 are then slipped over the sleeves 92, 94 with the tabs 103 on the case 96 being inserted in the notches 106 in the end caps 98 and twisted. The retractor 95, the inward ends of the sleeves 92, 94, the springs 120 and the retainer 124 are contained within the housing 90. The sleeves 92, 94 extend outwardly from the openings 104 in the end caps 98. In this arrangement, the lips 114 of the retractor 95 are exposed through the housing 90.
Referring now to
An embodiment of a tail extension clip 200 is shown in
The extension clip 200 may be attached to the bolt tail 132 when the backset dimension is to be increased. The extension clip 200 extends from the bolt tail, effectively lengthening the latchbolt 44. Such an increase may be, for example, from 2⅜ to 2¾, which as previously discussed are standard dimensions of backsets. To accomplish this, in one embodiment the extension clip 200 is placed adjacent to the bolt tail 132, as shown in
The addition of the extension clip 200 and the sleeve 220 increases the backset dimension. As assembled, in one embodiment the length of the tail extension clip 200 beyond the existing bolt tail is ⅜ inch. This is to accommodate the ⅜ inch difference between the standard backset dimension. Additionally, the sleeve 220 is a length that accommodates the additional length of the extension clip 200. These dimensions may enable the user to alter the backset dimension from 2⅜ inches to 2¾ inches easily and quickly. It should be understood that in the event the cylindrical lock assembly 20, installed on a door with a 2¾ backset, were to be used on another door where the backset dimension was 2⅜ inches, the assembly may be removed from the door and reassembled without the extension clip 200 and sleeve 220 to accommodate the smaller backset dimension of 2⅜ inches.
In assembling the components of the cylindrical lockset assembly 20 of
Alternatively, to assemble the components of the cylindrical lockset assembly 20 for a relatively long backset dimension as shown in
Next, the outside rose plate 32 is slid over the outside end cap 98. As seen in
The outside rose 34 fits against the outside rose plate 32. Openings in the outside rose plate 32 are aligned with threaded holes in the outside rose 34 for use with screws for securing the outside rose plate 32 to the outside rose 34.
The inside rose plate 26 is secured to the inside rose 28 and then moved over the inside end cap 98 and against the door surface. Bolt holes in the inside rose 28 are aligned with threaded bolt holes of the outside rose 34. The threaded ends of the bolts 56 are then passed through the unthreaded holes in the inside rose 28 and into the threaded holes of the outside rose 34. The bolts 56 are then tightened to draw the rose plates 26, 32 and roses 28, 34 to a secure assembled position on opposite sides of the door whereby the heads of the bolts 52 come to rest in countersunk holes in the outer face of the inside rose 28. It is noted that in attaching the roses 28, 34 in the manner described above, protrusions on the sleeves 92, 94 are aligned with corresponding slots (not shown) in the spindles 68, 70 such that the sleeves 92, 94 and spindles 68, 70 rotate together within the lockset assembly 20.
To complete the assembly, an inside rose scalp 152 is slipped over the inside spindle 68 and the inside rose 28 and the inside lever 30 is secured onto the inside spindle 68. Similarly, an outside rose scalp 154 is placed over the outside spindle 70 and the outside rose 34 and the outside lever 36 is secured onto the spindle 70. In attaching the levers 30, 36, the axial hub openings 79, 81 are positioned over the spindles 68, 70, which include a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 156. The slots 156 receive corresponding ribs formed in the levers 30, 36 to facilitate rotation of the spindles 68, 70 upon actuation of the levers 30, 36. The hub openings 79, 81 are also formed with transverse depressions and are positioned for alignment with transverse slots formed in spindles 68, 70. Spring-biased detents or catch plates (not shown) extend through the slots and into the depressions to retain the levers 30, 36 on the sleeves 92, 94. The assembly 20 is shown in its assembled form in
Embodiments of the extension clip for an adjustable backset lockset utilizing different means than magnetic retention are available for mounting the extension clip 202 to the latch assembly 42, and more specifically, to the bolt tail 132. A snap fit 230 is shown in
Another embodiment for mounting of the extension clip 202 is with mechanical deformation of the extension clip 202 to provide a mechanically restrained connection 240 as shown in
Yet another embodiment for mounting of the extension clip 202 is by use of positively applied force with a threaded connection 250 as shown in
Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described in considerable detail herein, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to be limited to such embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, although a cylindrical lock is shown, the novel extension clip shown and described herein may be used with any type of latchset or lockset for accommodating two or more backset distances. It is envisioned that a variety of extension clips and corresponding sleeves may be made to accommodate a variety of lock assemblies and backset dimensions not discussed in detail herein. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
