Patent Application
20140007631
This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2012902300 filed on Jun. 1, 2012 and is hereby being incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to locks and latches for openable and closable wings such as, for example, doors and windows. In particular, the invention is concerned with locks and latches for wings which open and close in a swinging manner. Examples of such wings include hinged doors and hinged windows.
For convenience, the invention will be described primarily with reference to its application on hinged doors, for example, residential front doors and the like. However, it is to be clearly understood that this is for convenience only and it does not imply any limitation in relation to the invention; indeed the invention could also be used on other forms of openable and closable wings.
Australian Patent No. 662657 in the name of Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited describes a so-called dual function lock mechanism. Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited has also produced a lock which is a modification/evolution of the lock in Patent No. 662657 and which is sold under the Australian trade mark TRILOCK®. However, there are a number of problems and difficulties with this lock.
One of the problems relates to difficulties and complications associated with installing the lock on the door. Often, during the initial stages of installation when the lock's latch bolt is inserted through the side edge of the door to connect with the key cylinder assembly (the key cylinder assembly is mounted transversely in the door), it is necessary to almost completely disassemble the latch bolt assembly in order to reorient the latch bolt. (The orientation of the latch bolt may need to be changed depending on whether the door is left-handed or right-handed, or opens inward or outward). In any case, after the latch bolt assembly has been disassembled to allow the latch bolt to be correctly oriented, the latch bolt assembly must then be reassembled for insertion and connection to the key cylinder assembly. This can significantly increase the time taken to install the lock, even for locksmiths experienced in performing this task.
Another problem arises where the lock handles are of a lever type. Specifically, the problem relates to the means by which the handedness of the lock is changed. As part of changing the handedness of the lock, prior to installing each lock handle assembly on the door, it is necessary to use a flat bladed screwdriver to pry up a retaining “handing” plate which is on the inside of the handle assembly. After the handing plate has been prised away from its mounting, the lever handle can be rotated 180° relative to the rest of the handle assembly, thereby swapping the handedness of the lock. After the handle has been rotated 180°, the handing plate clicks back into place. In practice, using a flat bladed screwdriver to lift the handing plate can be difficult, and also dangerous. This is partly because of the amount of force required to force the blade of the screwdriver beneath the handing plate and to lift the plate relative to its mounting. However, additional difficulties also arise because of the way it is necessary to grasp the handle assembly in one hand and, with the other hand, use a screwdriver to prise the handing plate away from its mounting. Due to the particular configuration of the components, and the consequent way in which the handle assembly must be held, there is often a significant risk that any slip of the screwdriver during this process could cause the screwdriver to slide (with considerable force) into the user's other hand/arm, with the potential to cause considerable injury.
It may be desirable to ameliorate one or more of the above problems, or to at least provide an alternative lock or latch for use in the marketplace. For example, and without implying any limitation, it may be desirable to provide a lock which could be used as an alternative to the above lock produced by Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited.
It is to be clearly understood that mere reference herein to previous or existing products, practices, publications or other information, or to any associated problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things individually or in any combination formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field or are admissible prior art.
In one form, the present invention resides broadly in a lock or latch having:
a latch bolt which can move linearly between a latching position and an unlatching position;
rotatable operating means that can be operated by a user;
a drive member which can move linearly between a first position and a second position in a direction at least partially transverse to the latch bolt's direction of movement, wherein movement of the drive member from the first position to the second position can be caused by rotation of the operating means, the drive member also having a contact surface oriented at an angle to its direction of linear movement, and
a contact part which is associated with the latch bolt and which can move linearly between a non-retracting position and a retracting position in a direction at least partially parallel to the latch bolt's direction of movement,
wherein the angled contact surface of the drive member engages the contact part, or a portion of the contact part, such that when the drive member moves from the first position to the second position, the contact part, or the said portion of the contact part, moves along the contact surface due to the angle of engagement with the contact surface, thereby moving the contact part from the non-retracting position to the retracting position, and
wherein movement of the contact part from the non-retracting position to the retracting position causes the latch bolt to move from the latching position to the unlatching position.
The present invention may, in different embodiments, relate to a latch or a lock. As those skilled in the art will understand, a latch is a device for fastening a door or window (or some other such “wing”) which has no locking function. In contrast, a lock has a locking function. Therefore, with locks, it is possible, using the lock, to prevent the lock from being operated from one or both sides, or to allow the lock to be operated from one or both sides. This is not possible with a latch.
As mentioned above, the lock or latch has a latch bolt which can move linearly between a latching position and an unlatching position. The latch bolt is therefore a reciprocating latch bolt (as distinct from rotating “hook”-type bolt). The head portion of the latch bolt (i.e. the portion of the latch bolt which protrudes out from the edge of the door to engage with the doorjamb when the latch bolt is in the latching position) may have a generally conventional configuration, similar to other previous reciprocating latch bolts. That is, it may have a rounded or bevelled edge which, when the latch bolt is installed for or in use, faces towards the doorjamb or strike. The rounded/bevelled end of the latch bolt head functions such that, when the latch bolt head comes into contact with the doorjamb or strike as the door or window swings closed, the angle of the rounded/bevelled portion causes the latch bolt to be pushed back into the lock or latch to allow the door to swing fully closed. Once the door is fully closed, the latch bolt then protrudes back out (under the bias of a spring) to insert into a cavity in (or otherwise engage with) the doorjamb or strike to prevent the door from swinging open.
Whilst the head of the latch bolt may be generally conventional, in certain embodiments the latch bolt may be part of a latch bolt assembly configured specifically to operate with embodiment of the lock/latch. In fact, one form of the invention may be considered to reside in a latch bolt assembly for use with a lock or latch, the latch bolt assembly including a bolt, a bolt casing and an engaging portion, wherein the bolt can move relative to the casing between an extended position in which a portion of the bolt projects out from the front of the casing and a retracted position in which the said portion of the bolt is withdrawn at least partially relative to the casing, and the engaging portion is directly or indirectly connected to the bolt, the engaging portion extends out from the rear of the casing and is operable or configured to engage with a part of the lock or latch which can move in a similar manner to the bolt from an un-operated position to an operated position such that, when the latch bolt assembly is connected to the lock or latch in use, operation of the lock or latch can cause the said part of the lock or latch to move from the un-operated position to the operated position and this can in turn cause the bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position.
The lock or latch incorporates rotatable operating means that can be operated by a user. There is no limitation on the kind of rotatable operating means that could be used. For instance, the rotatable operating means could comprise one or a combination of the following manually-operable means: one or more turnable doorknobs or lever handles, one or more key cylinders (into which a key can be inserted and turned), one or more turn knobs or twist knobs, etc. It is envisaged that such manually-operable means will be used most often. However, non-manual rotatable means such as, for example, electric motor-driven rotating means (which could be activated by the press of a button or by a remote control key fob, etc) could also be used. Indeed, any other rotatable operating means known to those skilled in the art could be used.
Without limiting anything in the previous paragraph, it is envisaged that latches in accordance with the present invention will typically include a lever handle for operating the latch to retract the latch bolt. If the latch is for use on a window, the latch may have only a single lever handle for operating the latch from the inside (on windows there is generally no need for an outside handle). On the other hand, if the latch is for use on a door, it may have an inside handle and an outside handle so that the latch can be operated (and the door can be opened) from the inside and the outside (although this should not be construed to mean that the latch must have two handles if it is used on a door; a latch used on a door could potentially also have only a single handle).
Again, without limiting anything in the previous two paragraphs, it is envisaged that locks in accordance with the invention will typically include, as the rotatable operating means, a lever handle, or a key cylinder, or both. If intended for use on a window, the lock may have a handle and/or key cylinder on the inside only. On the other hand, if the lock is for use on a door, it may have a handle and/or key cylinder on the inside and a handle and/or key cylinder on the outside. Typically, the inside and the outside will be the same, such that if the inside has a handle and a key cylinder, the outside will also have a handle and a key cylinder. Similarly, if the inside has only a key cylinder, the outside will also have only a key cylinder. However, no strict limitation is to be implied from this and the rotatable operating means on the inside need not necessarily be the same as on the outside.
Locks and latches in accordance with embodiments of the invention incorporate a drive member which can move linearly between a first position and a second position in a direction which is at least partially transverse to the latch bolt's direction of movement. Therefore, if the latch bolt extends horizontally out from the side edge of the door or window (as will often be the case) and therefore moves horizontally between the latching position and the unlatching position, the drive member will move between its first and second position is in a direction which is at least partially vertical (i.e. in a direction which has a vertical component). Typically, the direction of movement of the drive member will be perpendicular (or close to perpendicular) relative to the latch bolt's direction of movement.
In any case, movement of the drive member from the first position to the second position can be caused by rotation of the operating means. The way in which rotation of the operating means can cause the drive member to move from the first position to the second position is not narrowly critical. Therefore, any suitable means or mechanisms may be interposed between the rotatable operating means and the drive member to enable movement of the drive member from the first position to the second position to be caused by operation of the rotatable operating means. One or more non-limiting examples of such means or mechanisms will be given below.
The drive member may take any suitable form or configuration. For instance, in many embodiments, the drive member may be configured as a mostly flat, plate-like component. However, no limitation whatsoever is to be implied from this, and the drive member could alternatively take any other shape or configuration such as (by way of non-limiting example only) a block-like or rod-like component, or a component having a complex multi-part geometry.
The lock or latch incorporates a contact part, which is associated with the latch bolt, and which can move linearly between a non-retracting position and a retracting position in a direction which is at least partially parallel to the latch bolt's direction of movement (meaning that the direction of movement of the contact part is at least partially transverse to the drive member's direction of movement). As mentioned above, the latch bolt will typically move horizontally and the drive member will typically move (at least approximately) vertically. Where this is the case, the direction of movement of the contact part will generally be (at least approximately) horizontal.
As mentioned above, the contact part is associated with the latch bolt. In other words, movement of the contact part is linked to movement of the latch bolt. More specifically, movement of the contact part from the non-retracting position to the retracting position causes the latch bolt to move from the latching position to the unlatching position. Any suitable means or mechanisms for creating this relationship between the movement of the contact part and the movement of the latch bolt may be used. One or more non-limiting examples of such means or mechanisms will be given below.
The drive member has a contact surface which is oriented at an angle to the drive member's (typically vertical) direction of linear movement. The angled contact surface engages the contact part (or a portion of the contact part) such that when the drive member moves (vertically) from the first position to the second position, the contact part (or the said portion of the contact part) moves along the contact surface due to the angle of engagement, thereby moving the contact part (horizontally) from the non-retracting position to the retracting position.
The contact surface may be straight or curved. If it is straight, the angle that it makes relative to the drive member's direction of movement will be constant for the whole contact surface. If it is curved, the angle will change along the contact surface. Further explanations will be given with reference to embodiments where the contact surface is straight (as is likely to be the case most often), although no limitation is to be implied from this.
It is envisaged that the angle between the orientation of the straight contact surface and the drive member's direction of movement may, in many embodiments, be approximately 45°. However, the angle may also be varied to suit. If the angle is reduced (i.e. if the angle of the contact surface is closer to parallel with the drive member's direction of movement), the distance which the contact part moves when the drive member moves from the first position to the second position will be reduced, but the amount of force required to move the contact part will also be reduced. Conversely, if the angle is increased (i.e. if the angle of the contact surface is closer to perpendicular with the drive member's direction of movement), the distance which the contact part moves when the drive member moves from the first position to the second position will be increased, but the force required to move the contact part will also be increased.
There is no limitation, in terms of form or configuration, on the part or portion of the drive member which comprises/forms/functions as the contact surface. Therefore, any ridge, edge, side, face, surface or other part or portion of the drive member may form, or function as, the contact surface. In certain embodiments, the drive member may be provided with a slot, indent or cutout therein, and a side or edge of the slot, indent or cutout which is oriented at an angle to the direction of linear movement of the drive member may form the contact surface. (If the said side or edge of the slot, indent or cutout is straight, the contact surface will of course be straight.)
The lock or latch may further comprise a transfer component which has a lug or detent thereon, and the lug or detent may form the contact part which engages with the contact surface of the drive member. The transfer component may also include a further portion which, when the lock or latch is assembled for or in use, directly or indirectly engages the latch bolt such that movement of the transfer component (with the contact part) between the non-retracting position and the retracting position causes latch bolt to move from the latching position to the unlatching position. In saying that this portion of the transfer component “directly or indirectly” engages the latch bolt, this means that this portion of the transfer component either directly contacts a portion of the latch bolt, or otherwise it contacts or connects with one or more intervening components which in turn contact with, and operate, the latch bolt.
The transfer component may take any suitable form or configuration. For instance, it may include a flat, plate-like portion, and the lug or detent (the contact part) which engages the contact surface of the drive member may be formed on a face of the plate-like portion. Furthermore, the transfer component may include a projecting arm or rod like portion which extends perpendicular to the plane of the plate-like portion. This arm or rod-like portion could extend out from the same side of the plate-like portion as the lug or detent, or from the opposite side. The arm or rod-like portion may also engage with the latch bolt, or it may engage with one or more intervening components which in turn contact with, and operate, the latch bolt. However, it is to be clearly understood that the configuration of the transfer component just described (i.e. with the plate-like portion having the lug or detent thereon and the arm or rod-like portion extending therefrom) is only one non-limiting example. Myriad other forms and configurations of the transfer component are also possible.
As mentioned above, the drive member may be provided with a slot, indent or cutout therein, and a side or edge of the slot, indent or cutout which is oriented at an angle to the direction of linear movement of the drive member may form the contact surface. In some embodiments, the drive member may in addition have a second slot, indent or cutout therein, and a side or edge of the second slot, indent or cutout which is oriented at an angle to the direction of linear movement of the drive member may form a second contact surface. In such embodiments, the lock or latch may further comprise a second transfer component, and the contact part of the second transfer component may engage with the second contact surface.
Like the first-mentioned transfer component (described above), the second transfer component may move linearly between a non-retracting position and a retracting position. The direction of movement of the second transfer component may be parallel but opposite to the direction of movement of the first-mentioned transfer component. Movement of the second transfer component in the opposite direction relative to the first-mentioned transfer component may be caused by a different orientation of the second contact surface relative to that of the first-mentioned contact surface. The explanations given above regarding the possible configuration of the first-mentioned transfer component apply equally to the second transfer component. Therefore, the second transfer component may have a lug or detent thereon which forms the contact part that engages the second contact surface, and it may also have a portion (which may be configured as an arm or rod-like portion) which can, in use, directly or indirectly engage the latch bolt, etc.
In embodiments having two transfer components (which engage with respective contact surfaces etc), when the lock or latch is assembled for or in use, only one of the transfer components may interact with the latch bolt, but the two transfer components may be provided to enable the lock or latch to be configured in either handedness, as required. In other words, one of the transfer components (only) may interact with the latch bolt if the lock or latch is configured and installed in one handedness, and the other transfer component (only) may interact with the latch bolt if the lock or latch is configured and installed in the other handedness.
In the embodiments described above where the drive member has two contact surfaces, and there are two transfer components (one for each contact surface), etc, each contact surface may mirror the other (typically about an axis which is central to the drive member and parallel to the drive member's direction of movement). Therefore, if one contact surface is straight, the other may also be straight, or if one contact surface is curved, the other may also be curved. Furthermore, in the case where the respective contact surfaces are straight, they may be oriented at an equal but opposite angles, respectively, relative to the direction of movement of the drive member. For example, if one of the contact surfaces is oriented at 45° to the drive member's direction of movement, the other contact surface may be oriented at −45° (that is, it may slope 45° the other way) relative to the drive member's direction of movement.
As has previously been explained, the lock or latch in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be configured for mounting to a door, and if so, it may be provided with a lever handle for each of the inside and the outside of the door. Furthermore, the inside handle may be part of, or may attach to, and an inside handle assembly which is securable on the inside of the door, and the outside handle may be part of, or may attach to, an outside handle assembly which is securable on the outside of the door.
The inside handle assembly, or the outside handle assembly, or both (and typically both), may include a component which can be pressed or otherwise moved without disassembling the assembly in any way, and pressing or moving the said component may enable the handle of the assembly to be rotated relative to the assembly so as to swap the handedness of the assembly. Typically, the said component which can be pressed or moved may only be accessible before the assembly is secured on the relevant side of the door. Therefore, the handle assembly may be placed in the appropriate handedness for the door on which it is be installed, and it may then be installed on the door, and once installed it may not be possible to alter the handedness, at least not without removing the assembly from the door.
The lock or latch may further include a spindle assembly. The spindle assembly may include a spindle and, in use, the spindle assembly may extend between the inside handle assembly and the outside handle assembly. Rotation of the outside handle may cause rotation of the spindle, and to facilitate this the spindle may connect directly to the outside handle, or otherwise the outside handle may be connected indirectly to the spindle (e.g. via one or more intervening components), or otherwise the outside handle may be associated with the spindle in such a way that rotation of the outside handle causes rotation of the spindle.
The spindle may be linked to the inside handle by one or more intermediate components. These intermediate components may include a drive part and a spindle component. In use, rotation of the inside handle may cause rotation of the drive part. To facilitate this, the drive part may connect directly to the inside handle, or otherwise the inside handle may be indirectly connected to the drive part in such a way that rotation of the inside handle causes rotation of the drive part. The spindle component may rotate with the spindle. In many embodiments, the spindle component may be fixedly mounted on the spindle and may therefore rotate with the spindle (although no limitation is to be implied from this and other configurations are possible). Rotation of the spindle may cause the spindle component to engage with the drive part and thereby cause rotation of the drive part. Any means or mechanisms may be used to achieve this. And furthermore, rotation of the drive part may cause the drive member to move from the first position to the second position.
As explained above, rotation of the outside handle may cause rotation of the spindle, rotation of the spindle may cause the spindle component to engage with the drive part and thereby cause rotation of the drive part, and rotation of the drive part may cause the drive member to move from the first position to the second position. This may therefore be how rotation of the outside handle causes the drive member to move from the first position to the second position in these embodiments.
As also explained above, rotation of the inside handle may cause rotation of the drive part, and rotation of the drive part may cause the drive member to move from the first position to the second position. This may therefore be how rotation of the inside handle causes the drive member to move from the first position to the second position in these embodiments.
In embodiments which have a drive part (as discussed above), and where the drive part, in use, rotates with the inside handle, the drive part may have a portion which engages with the drive member. The said portion may comprise a protruding lug on the drive part (a drive lug), although a range of other parts or portions of the drive part (or even separate components connected to the drive part) could also be configured to engage with the drive member. In any case, when the drive part rotates (in what may be described as an opening direction) the drive lug (or other part or portion of the drive part) may engage with the drive member and thereby cause the drive member to move linearly from the first position to the second position. Suitably, the drive lug (or other part or portion of the drive part) may engage with an edge, ridge or surface on the drive member to cause the drive member to move from the first position to the second position.
In embodiments of the invention which relate to a lock for a door, and where the lock has an inside handle assembly (including the inside handle) on the inside and an outside handle assembly (including the outside handle) on the outside, the lock may include a snib mechanism which, when operated in use, prevents the outside handle from being operated to retract the latch bolt. The snib mechanism may include a button or turn knob mounted as part of the inside handle assembly (making the button or turn knob operable from the inside of the door). When the button or turn knob is operated, a snibbing component (which may be a part in the inside handle assembly) may move from an un-snibbing position in which it (the snibbing component) does not prevent rotation of the spindle into a snibbing position in which it does prevent rotation of the spindle. Recall from above that, in certain embodiments, rotation of the outside handle causes rotation of the spindle, which in turn (through interaction with other components) causes the drive member to move from the first position to the second position to retract the latch bolt. Therefore, if the snibbing component is moved into the snibbing position thereby preventing the spindle from rotating, this may therefore prevent operation of the outside handle to retract the latch bolt. This may be referred to as “snibbing” the lock (and the lock may thus be referred to, when it is in this condition, as “snibbed”).
In embodiments which incorporate a snib mechanism as described in the previous paragraph, the lock may also be provided with means for moving the snibbing component back from the snibbing position into the un-snibbing position (i.e. means may be provided for “un-snibbing” the lock so that the outside handle can again be used to retract the latch bolt). There is no limitation whatsoever as to the form or configuration that the un-snibbing means may take. For example, in embodiments where a turn knob is provided for operating the snib mechanism, turning the turn knob in one direction may snib the lock and turning the turn knob in the opposite direction may un-snib the lock. However, in other embodiments, the lock may be configured such that the snibbing component can be moved from the snibbing position to the un-snibbing position by rotation of the inside handle. One possible configuration for achieving this functionality is given below, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the drawings.
In embodiments of the invention which relate to a lock (and this is likely to be the case particularly for locks used on doors) the lock may be provided with a key cylinder for one or both sides of the lock (i.e. for one or both sides of the door). And in embodiments which included at least one key cylinder, the lock may further include a locking component which can be moved, by operation of the key cylinder (or by operation of one or either of the key cylinders), from an un-locking position to a locking position. When the locking component is in the unlocking position, it may not prevent the drive member from moving from the first position to the second position, but in the locking position the locking component may prevent the drive member from moving from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, when the locking component is in the locking position, this may prevent retraction of the latch bolt by either of the lock's handles. The locking component may also be moved, by operation of the key cylinder (or by operation of one or either of the key cylinders), from the locking position to the un-locking position to unlock the lock. There is no limitation on the form or configuration that the locking component could take. The locking component could therefore take any suitable form or configuration. One example configuration is given with reference to the drawings below. However, it is to be clearly understood that this is merely one example and myriad other examples are also possible.
In embodiments relating to a lock having one or more key cylinders, it may be possible to move the drive member from the first position to the second position by operation of the key cylinder. Therefore, it may be possible to use the key cylinder (or one or other of the key cylinders) to retract the latch bolt. In embodiments which include one or more handles, this may therefore provide an additional means for attracting the latch bolt. However, in embodiments which did not include handles, this may be the only way in which the latch bolt can be retracted. Furthermore, in embodiments where the handle is provided on one side only, but the other side includes a key cylinder, this may be the only way to retract the latch bolt from the side which has a key cylinder but no handle.
Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
a is a perspective illustration of the cutaway portion of the door to which the lock in
a illustrates the way in which the handle spring is mounted relative to the drive cam when the inside handle is mounted to the inside handle housing.
a and 14b illustrate the latch bolt assembly fully assembled, but in these Figures the latch housing is shown transparently to reveal the components housed therein.
a to 23h illustrate stages in the installation of the lock on a door.
As mentioned above,
In
In this particular embodiment, the furniture covers 14 and 16 are plastic covers which snap-fit onto the respective internal and external handle assemblies after the assemblies have been secured on the relevant sides of the door. The furniture covers 14 and 16 give the finished lock the desired appearance. The furniture covers 14 and 16 may therefore be coloured/textured/shaped etc as desired (the furniture covers therefore need not necessarily look the same as they appear in
The parts and components that make up the inside handle assembly 100 will initially be described with reference to
The main function of the back plate 110 is to cover and retain the numerous components which form part of the inside handle assembly 100 between the backplate 110 and the housing 102.
When the drive cam 128 is mounted on the plug portion 132 of the handle as described above, inwardly pointing posts 136 (which project into the central opening in the drive cam 128) insert into notches 138 cut in the top and bottom of the plug portion 132 of the handle. Consequently, rotation of the handle 104 always causes corresponding rotation of the drive cam 128. In other words, when the handle 104 and the drive cam 128 are assembled together, they rotate effectively as a single component and one cannot rotate at all without causing corresponding rotation of the other.
a illustrates the way the drive cam 128 and the spring 124 mount on the plug portion 132 of the handle 104. This is, in fact, how the drive cam 128 and the spring 124 mount on the plug portion 132 when the plug portion 132 inserts through the handle hole 134 to mount the handle 104 to the housing 102 (the housing 102 is not shown in
From
The compression spring 148 functions to bias the spindle assembly away from the outside handle, and thereby biases the spindle component into engagement with the drive cam 128, as discussed below.
As mentioned above, the spindle component 150 is fixedly mounted on the spindle 146 such that the spindle component 150 cannot rotate relative to the spindle 146. The spindle component 150 also engages with the drive cam 128. Specifically, the spindle component 150 has a lug 156 on the upper portion thereof pointing in the same direction as the inside end 152 of the spindle. When the lock is assembled, the lug 156 inserts into an oval shaped opening 158 in the drive cam 128 (see
It should be noted, however, that the lug 156 on the spindle component 150 is round, whereas the opening 158 in the drive cam 128 is oval shaped. Therefore, there is a small amount of “play” (or “lost motion”) between the drive cam 128 and the spindle component 150. In other words, it is possible for the drive cam 128 (and the handle 104) to rotate a small initial amount before the side of the opening 158 engages with the lug 156. This initial “lost motion” rotation of the handle therefore does not cause corresponding rotation of the spindle. The purpose of this configuration which allows a small amount of lost motion will be explained below.
It should also be noted the drive cam 128 has another oval shaped opening 159 (in addition to the oval shaped opening 158). The opening 159 is the same shape as the opening 158, and the opening 159 is located almost (but not exactly) opposite the opening 158 on the other side of the drive cam 128. In other words, the opening 159 is separated from the opening 158 by almost (but not exactly) 180°. The opening 159 is provided because the inside handle assembly 100 can be configured as either left-handed or right-handed (the same is true of the outside handle assembly 400). The handle assemblies are always configured into the intended handedness (left-handed or right-handed) before being mounted together with the other components and installed on the door.
In the Figures, the inside handle assembly 100 is shown in a left-handed configuration (and the outside handle assembly 400 is shown in a right-handed configuration). Referring to the inside handle assembly 100, when the inside handle assembly 100 is configured to be left-handed (as shown), the opening 158 in the drive cam 128 is oriented towards the top of the housing 102 and the opening 159 is oriented towards the bottom of the housing. Also, when the lock is assembled (and this is true in either handedness) the spindle assembly is always oriented such that the spindle component 150 points vertically upwards relative to the spindle 146. Accordingly, when the inside handle assembly 100 is arranged to be left-handed and is assembled with the spindle and mounted to the door, the lug 156 on the spindle component 150 inserts into the oval shaped opening 158 in the drive cam 128 (because in this handedness the opening 158 is oriented towards the top of the housing). However, if the inside handle assembly 100 were alternatively arranged to be right-handed before being assembled with the spindle and mounted to the door, the opening 159 in the drive cam 128 would in this case be oriented upwardly (and the opening 158 would be oriented downwardly) and therefore the lug 156 on the spindle component 150 would insert into the opening 159. Further discussion on the way the handle assemblies can be converted from one handedness to the other will be given below.
Referring again to
Turning next to consider certain other features of the drive plate 118, and referring to
The first drive rod 112 comprises a plate portion 168, a rod portion 170, a lug 172 and a guide portion 174. The plate portion 168 resembles a substantially square flat plate, and the lug 172 is a round lug formed in the centre of the plate portion 168. The rod portion 170 projects out perpendicular to the plane of the plate portion 168, from the lower inward corner of the plate portion. The rod portion 170 has a stepped configuration and its distal end is shaped as a substantially round rod. The guide portion 174 is a substantially flat rectangular portion which connects on the rear of the plate portion 168 and extends across the space between the two drive rods such that the far end of the guide portion 174 is positioned behind the base of the plate portion on the second drive rod 114.
The second drive rod 114 also comprises a plate portion 176, a rod portion 178, a lug 180 and a guide portion 182. Again, the plate portion 176 resembles a substantially square flat plate, and the lug 180 is a round lug formed in the centre of the plate portion 176. The rod portion 178 projects out perpendicular to the plate portion 176, from the lower inward corner of the plate portion. The rod portion 178 has a stepped configuration and its distal end is shaped as a substantially round rod. The guide portion 182 is substantially flat and rectangular, it connects on the rear of the plate portion 176 and extends across space between the two drive rods such that the far end of the guide portion 182 is positioned behind the top of the plate portion of the first drive rod 112.
The way that the guide portion of each guide rod is positioned at least partly behind the plate portion of the other guide rod (as illustrated in
Turning again to
The latch bolt assembly 300 is illustrated in several Figures, including
From
When the latch assembly 300 is assembled, the rear end 316 of the main latch bolt 308 and the rear end of the kick plate 314 both project out through an opening in the rear of the latch housing 302. These two components are also aligned so that the respective openings therein (i.e. the opening in the tale of the latch bolt 308 and the opening in the kick plate 314) align to form a closed loop which extends out through the rear of the latch housing. This closed loop (formed by the aligned rear portions of the latch bolt 316 and kick plate 314) is indicated by reference numeral 318 in
In any case, in the drawings, the closed loop 318 which extends from the rear of the latch assembly is also visible in
It should be stressed that, in the Figures, the inside handle assembly 100 is shown in a left-handed configuration. The inside handle assembly can also be reconfigured to adopt a right-handed configuration. By way of example, in
In any case, if the latch assembly 300 were to instead point in the opposite direction to that shown in
It is also possible to retract the latch bolts (i.e. to move the latch bolts from the latching position to the unlatching position) by operating the key cylinder 108. The key cylinders in both the inside handle assembly 100 and the outside handle assembly 400 are the same, and they have a generally conventional form. Therefore, a user can insert a key (not shown) into the key cylinder, and the key can be turned therein to operate the cylinder. The inner end of the inside handle assembly's key cylinder 108 (i.e. the end of the key cylinder 108 within the inside handle assembly) is illustrated in
Referring next to
As mentioned above, it is possible to retract the latch bolts (i.e. to move them from the latching position to the unlatching position) by operating the key cylinder 108. The way this is done can now be understood with reference to
It should be noted that the length of the pillar 192 is such that, when the lock is fully assembled on the door, the pillar 192 extends at least most of the way across the gap between the inside handle assembly 100 and the outside handle assembly 400. The pillar 192, and certain other components which extend across this gap, extend through the main cylindrical hole 15 in the door (see
The inside handle assembly 100 further incorporates a snib mechanism. The snib mechanism functions such that, when the snib mechanism is engaged, the lock is placed in a state in which it is not possible to operate the outside handle to retract the latch bolt. The components which make up the snib mechanism are shown exploded relative to the housing 102 in
As illustrated in
Referring next to
At the top of each of the respective arms 204, on the inwardly-facing surface thereof (i.e. at the top of the surface of each arm 204 that faces towards the other arm 204) there is a bump 205. The bump 205 on the top of each arm 204 can just be made out in
As mentioned above, when the lock is assembled, the snib mechanism is operated by pushing the snib button 106 in. In other words, by pushing the button 106 from outside the lock (on the inside of the door) so that the button 106 moves into the housing 102, and such that the flat exterior face of the button 106 becomes flush (or approximately flush) with the exterior surface of the furniture cover 14. When the button 106 moves inwards in this way, on the inside of the housing 102, the lower angled edges of the respective ramp portions 202 engage against the top edge of the snib plate 198. Because of the angle at which the angled edges of the ramp portions 202 engage with the top edge of the snib plate, as the button 106 is pushed progressively inwards, the snib plate 198 is forced to slide progressively vertically downwards in the lock. In other words, pushing the button 106 in causes the snib plate 198 to be forced down in the lock, from the un-snibbing position shown in
When the button 106 is pushed all the way in, thus moving the snib plate 198 down into the snibbing position, the notches 203 on the respective apexes of the ramp portions 202 engage (friction fit) with the bumps 205 on the respective ends of the arms 204 of the snib retainer 200. This engagement retains the button 106 in the “pushed-in” position. In other words, it prevents the snib button 106 from being able to move back out, or rattle between its inward and outward positions, while the lock is “snibbed”.
Turning into
To “un-snib” the lock (i.e. to move the snib plate 198 back upwards in the lock and thereby free the outside handle for use) the inside handle 104 must be operated. At this point it is important to recall that there is a small amount of “play” or “lost motion” between the drive cam 128 (which is fixedly connected to, and rotates “as one” with, the inside handle 104) and the spindle component 150. In other words, it is possible for the handle 104 and drive cam 128 to rotate a small initial amount before the side of the opening 158 in the drive cam 128 engages with the lug 156 on the spindle component 150. This initial “lost motion” rotation of the handle 104 and drive cam 128 does not cause corresponding rotation of the spindle 146.
Referring to
As explained with reference to
The locking component 116 can be moved horizontally relative to the housing 102, between an unlocking and a locking position, by operation of the key cylinder. The way this is done can be understood with reference to
If a key is inserted into the key cylinder 108 and rotated in the appropriate direction, this causes the locking cam 186 to rotate in the same direction by the same amount. When the locking cam 186 is thus caused to rotate counterclockwise in the orientation shown in
In order to move the locking component back from the locking position (
It should be noted that the length of the arms 210 is such that, when the lock is assembled, the arms 210 extend at least most of the way across the gap between the inside handle assembly 100 and the outside handle assembly 400. The arms 210 (like the post 192 etc) extend through the main cylindrical hole 15 in the door (see
As mentioned previously, it is possible to convert the inside handle assembly 100 (and likewise the outside handle assembly 400) from one handedness to the other. The way in which this is done will be described with reference to the inside handle assembly 100 (although these explanations apply equally to the outside handle assembly 400).
Referring to
However, in order to convert the assembly 100 from one handedness to the other, it is necessary to rotate the handle in this manner. For instance, in order to convert the assembly from the handedness shown in
At this point it is useful to refer again to
Referring again to
The way in which the various parts and features of the lock operate when the lock is converted into the opposite handedness (i.e. opposite to the handedness shown) will be evident to those skilled in the art from the drawings, even if, or to the extent that, such operation is not expressly explained herein.
It should be noted that the way in which the handedness of the outside handle assembly 400 is switched (by depressing the handing button 516 to allow the handle 404 to be rotated up and over into the opposite handedness) is the same as was explained above for the inside handle assembly 100.
a-23h summarise the process for installing the lock on the door.
a illustrates the way a stencil can be used to mark out, on the door, the size and placement of the various holes required to mount the lock to the door. After the holes have been marked out, the holes may be formed (cut or drilled), thus resulting in a door as shown in
b illustrates the way that the latch bolt assembly is next fitted to the side edge of the door. Note that the latch bolt assembly 300 should be oriented with the curved edge of the latch bolt head facing towards the doorjamb, as illustrated in the magnified detail in
Next,
c illustrates the way that the spacer bolts (also illustrated in
In the next step, illustrated in
Next, as illustrated in
The next step, as illustrated in
Next,
Another possible embodiment of the invention (not illustrated in the drawings) relates to the latch rather than a lock. Consider, for instance, if the inside assembly illustrated in
In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012902300 | Jun 2012 | AU | national |
