The present invention relates to a lock assembly that is adapted for handing.
The invention has been primarily developed in relation to a mortice lock assembly for a door and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, the invention can also be used in other types of lock assemblies, including surface mounted locks.
Mortice locks utilise two hubs, each associated with a lever or other handle on each side of a door. They can be configured to provide any one only of four different pairs of functions when locked or unlocked, as follows:
(Pair 1) Unlocked function—door can be opened for entry or egress from either side without key. Locked function—door can be opened for entry without key but key needed for egress (i.e. by unlocking or by latch retracting/key over-riding without unlocking);
(Pair 2) Unlocked function—door can be opened for entry or egress from either side without key. Locked function—door can be opened for egress without key but key needed for entry;
(Pair 3) Unlocked function—door can be opened for entry or egress from either side without key. Locked function—key needed for entry and egress; or
(Pair 4) Unlocked function—door can be opened for entry or egress from either side without key. Locked function—door can be opened for entry or egress from either side without key (effectively creating a latch).
Configuring a lock in the desired one of the four above function pairs is known as handing the locking mechanism and allows the lock installer to ensure that the pair of functions best matches the requirement of a particular door. The ability to hand a lock: saves a lock manufacturer from having to make, stock and sell four different locks, one for each of the above four pairs of functions; saves a customer from having to know which parts to order for which door; and avoids an incorrectly handed lock from being delivered. These last two requirements can be particularly important when purchasing a large number of locks for installation in, for example, a multi-storey building with many doors.
Handing is done by adjusting or manipulating one or more of the lock's components. Lock assemblies that can be handed during installation are known, see for example Australian Patent Nos. 647236, 686403 and 2005203686 and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2005/001572 (WO 2006/039751).
It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative lock assembly that is adapted for handing.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly adapted for handing, the lock assembly including:
a housing;
a lock bolt movable between a latching position and an unlatching position; is a first hub adapted to move the lock bolt in response to movement of a first handle;
a locking bar movable between an advanced position and a withdrawn position; and
a first hub locker that is releasably engageable with the locking bar at either of a first position or a second position relative to the locking bar, the first hub locker retaining its position relative to the housing whilst being released from engagement with the locking bar at one of the first position or the second position, thereby allowing movement of the locking bar relative to the housing and to the first hub locker for engagement of the first hub locker at the other of the first position or the second position.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly adapted for handing, the lock assembly including:
a housing;
a lock bolt movable between a latching position and an unlatching position;
a first hub adapted to move the lock bolt in response to movement of a first handle;
a locking bar movable between an advanced position and a withdrawn position; and
a first hub locker that is releasably engageable with the locking bar at either of a first position or a second position relative to the locking bar, the first hub locker retaining its position relative to the housing whilst being released from engagement with the locking bar at one of the first position or the second position, thereby allowing movement of the locking bar relative to the housing and to the first hub locker for re-engagement of the first hub locker at the other of the first position or the second position,
wherein, when the locking bar is in the advanced position, engaging the first hub locker at the first position or the second position will cause the first hub locker to respectively prevent or allow movement of the first hub thereby respectively preventing or allowing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the first hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position, and
when the locking bar is in the withdrawn position, engaging the first hub locker at the first position or the second position will cause the first hub locker to allow movement of the first hub thereby allowing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the first hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly adapted for is handing, the lock assembly including:
a housing;
a lock bolt movable between a latching position and an unlatching position;
a first hub adapted to move the lock bolt in response to movement of a first handle;
a locking bar movable between an advanced position and a withdrawn position; and
a first hub locker that is releasably engageable with the locking bar at either of a first position or a second position relative to the locking bar, the first hub locker retaining its position relative to the housing whilst being released from engagement with the locking bar at one of the first position or the second position, thereby allowing movement of the locking bar relative to the housing and to the first hub locker for re-engagement of the first hub locker at the other of the first position or the second position,
wherein, when the first hub locker is in the first position and the locking bar is in the advanced position, the first hub locker prevents movement of the first hub thereby preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the first hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position,
when the first hub locker is in first position and the locking bar is in the withdrawn position, the first hub locker does not prevent movement of the first hub thereby not preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the first hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position, and
when the first hub locker is in the second position and the locking bar is in the advanced or withdrawn position, the first hub locker does not prevent movement of the first hub thereby not preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the first hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position.
The lock assembly preferably includes a first releasable engagement means adapted for engaging the first hub locker at one of the first position and the second position.
In one form, the first releasable engagement means is associated with the locking bar. The first engagement means is preferably mounted on or to the locking bar.
In another form, the first releasable engagement means is associated with the first hub locker. The first engagement means is preferably mounted on or to the first hub locker.
The first hub locker preferably includes a first end that is releasably engageable with the locking bar. The first hub locker preferably includes a second end that is pivotally mounted to the housing.
The lock assembly preferably includes a tool adapted to drive, most preferably push, the first engagement means out of engagement whilst simultaneously preventing movement of the first hub locker relative to the housing.
In one form, the first end of the first hub locker preferably includes pair of spaced apart regions, most preferably a first recess and a second recess, adapted to engage with a single said first engagement means on the locking bar in the first position or the second position respectively. The first engagement means is preferably a spring biased detent mounted on the locking bar.
In another form, the first end of the first hub locker preferably includes a single region, most preferably a first recess, adapted to engage with one of a pair of spaced apart said first engagement means on the locking bar in the first position or the second position respectively. The first engagement means is preferably a pair of spring biased detents adapted for common movement.
In yet another form, the first end of the first hub locker preferably includes a first engagement means, preferably a spring biased detent with a pair of recesses, adapted to engage with a single region of the locking bar in the first position or the second position respectively. The locking bar single region is preferably a protrusion or prong on the locking bar.
In yet further form, the first end of the first hub locker preferably includes a first engagement means, preferably a spring biased detent, adapted to engage with one of a pair of regions of the locking bar in the first position or the second position respectively.
The locking bar regions are preferably a pair of recesses, most preferably between three protrusions or prongs on the locking bar.
The lock assembly preferably also includes:
a second hub adapted to move the lock bolt in response to movement of a second handle;
a second hub locker that is releasably engageable with the locking bar at either of a first position or a second position relative to the locking bar, the second hub locker retaining its position relative to the housing whilst being released from engagement with the locking bar at one of the first position or the second position, thereby allowing movement of the locking bar relative to the housing and to the second hub locker for re-engagement of the second hub locker at the other of the first position or the second position.
The lock assembly preferably includes a second releasable engagement means adapted for engaging the second hub locker at one of the first position and the second position.
Preferably, when the locking bar is in the advanced position, engaging the second hub locker at the first position or the second position will cause the second hub locker to respectively prevent or allow movement of the second hub thereby respectively preventing or allowing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the second hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position, and
when the locking bar is in the withdrawn position, engaging the second hub locker at the first position or the second position will cause the second hub locker to allow movement of the second hub thereby allowing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the second hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position.
Preferably, when the second hub locker is in the first position and the locking bar is in the advanced position, the second hub locker prevents movement of the second hub thereby preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the second hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position;
when the second hub locker is in first position and the locking bar is in the withdrawn position, the second hub locker does not prevent movement of the second hub thereby not preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the second hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position, and
when the second hub locker is in the second position and the locking bar is in the advanced or withdrawn position, the second hub locker does not prevent movement of the second hub thereby not preventing movement of the lock bolt, in response to rotation of the second hub, from the latching position to the unlatching position.
The first releasable engagement means is preferably movable in direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first hub. The second releasable engagement means is preferably movable in direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second hub. The longitudinal axes of the first and second hubs are preferably coincident.
The housing preferably has a pair of parallel sides and the first releasable engagement means is preferably movable in a direction normal to the plane of the housing sides. The second releasable engagement means is preferably also movable in a direction normal to the plane of the housing sides.
The locking assembly preferably includes a key cylinder which is fixable relative to the housing with a pin. The key cylinder is preferably adapted to move the locking bar between the advanced position and the withdrawn position. The pin preferably has an end adapted for passage through the first hub locker for depression of the first releasable engagement means. The pin end is preferably also adapted for passage through the second hub locker for depression of the second releasable engagement means.
The housing preferably includes an opening receiving therein a key cylinder and a locking bar driver, adapted for moving the locking bar between the advanced and withdrawn positions, that is manually accessible through the opening. The locking bar driver is preferably a lever pivotally mounted to the housing.
The first hub preferably includes a protuberance and the first hub locker includes a third recess adapted to engage with said protuberance to prevent movement of the first hub when so engaged. The second hub preferably includes a protuberance and the second hub locker includes a third recess adapted to engage with said protuberance to prevent movement of the second hub when so engaged.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly adapted for handing, the lock assembly including:
a lock bolt;
a housing with a first side adjacent the lock bolt, a second side opposed to the first side; a top; a bottom opposed to the top; a front face, and a rear face opposed to the front face;
a locking bar movable between an advanced position and a withdrawn position;
a first hub locker with a first recess and a second recess; and
a first detent associated with the locking bar and biased towards engagement with the first hub locker at one of the first recess and the second recess, the first detent being releasable from engagement with one of the first recess and the second recess, in response to insertion of a tool in a direction normal to the front or rear face, to prevent movement of the first hub locker relative to the housing and allow movement of the locking bar relative to the housing and to the first hub locker for engagement of the first detent with the other of the first recess and the second recess in order to set the handing of the lock assembly.
Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
A face plate 32 is attached to the first side 22. A latch bolt 34 and an auxiliary bolt 36 pass through the face plate 32 for engagement with a strike plate (not shown) in a door jamb, as will be well understood by persons skilled in the art.
The lock assembly 20 also includes an opening 38 that receives a key cylinder (not shown). With reference to
The lock assembly 20 also includes a first hub 42 with a square cross-section opening 44 therein, which is adapted to engage with a square cross-section drive shaft (not shown) of a first external knob, lever or other handle (not shown). The front surface 30 of the lock assembly also includes a first opening 46, a second opening 48 and a third opening 50, the functions of which shall also be described in more detail below in relation to the handing process.
When the first hub 42 is rotated, it causes the arm 60 to move away from the first side 22 and towards the second side 24, which causes the carriages 54 and 58 to move in the same direction. The movement of the carriages 54 and 58 away from the first side 22 and towards the second side 24 causes similar respective movements in the latch bolt 34 and the auxiliary bolt 36, thereby retracting them into the housing 21.
The first hub 42 also includes a second protuberance 68. The lock assembly 20 also includes a first hub locker 70 which is pivotally mounted to the housing at shaft 72. The lock assembly also includes a locking bar 74. The first hub locker 70 includes a first recess 76, a second recess 78, a third recess 80 and a tang 81, the functions of which shall also be described below.
Returning to
The detent 86 of the locking bar 74 can engage with either the first recess 76 (at what will be referred to hereafter as the first or “inactive” position) or the second recess 78 (at what will be referred to hereafter as the second or “active” position) of the hub locker 70. For example,
The description of the lock assembly 20 thus far has referred to the first hub 42, a first handle and the first hub locker 70, which are all adjacent to the front face 30 of the lock housing 21. It will also be appreciated that these components are mirrored and a second hub, a second handle and a second hub locker are provided adjacent the rear face of the housing 21 and operate in an identical manner as previously described in relation to the first hub, the first handle and the first hub locker. Similarly, the locking bar 74 has the first detent 86 adapted to engage with the first hub locker 70 which is biased towards the front face 30 of the lock housing 21 and also a second detent, which is adapted to engage with the second hub locker and is biased towards the rear face of the housing 21. The rear face of the housing 21 also includes a set of first, second and third openings (similar to openings 46, 48 and 50 in the front face 30).
The handing of the lock assembly 20 shall now be described.
As shown in
The above described arrangement allows the first and second hub lockers to be independently set either active or inactive and then the locking of the first and second hubs to be controlled by the positioning of the locking bar 74 in the advanced or withdrawn position. If both of the first and second hub lockers are set inactive, then the door can be opened from either side regardless of the position of the locking bar. If both of the first and second hub lockers are set active, then the door can be opened from either side when the locking bar 74 is in the withdrawn position and is unable to be opened from either side when the locking bar 74 is in the advanced position. If the first hub locker is set active and the second hub locker is set inactive, then the door can be opened from either side when the locking bar 74 is in the withdrawn position and can only be opened from the second side when the locking bar 74 is in the advanced position. If the first hub locker is set inactive and the second hub locker is set active, then the door can be opened from either side when the locking bar 74 is in the withdrawn position and can only be opened from the first side when the locking bar 74 is in the advanced position.
As previously explained, once the lock assembly 20 has been installed, a correct key inserted into the key cylinder allows a user to drive the locking bar 74 between the advanced and withdrawn positions, thereby locking none, one or both sides of the door dependent on the positioning of the first and second hub lockers.
Before installation of the lock assembly 20, a user is able to determine whether either of the first or second hub lockers is set active or inactive by examining apertures 46, 48 and 50.
To determine the handing of a side of the lock assembly 22, the tang 81 must be visible through the aperture 50 on that side of the lock assembly 22. If necessary, the tang 81 can be positioned behind the aperture 50 by finger action on the driver 88 to move the locking bar 74, with the hub locker 70, and carry the tang 81 into a visible position.
When the tang 50 is visible, handing is assessed by checking the position of the detent 86, which will be visible through either the aperture 46 or the aperture 48. If the detent 86 is visible through the aperture 46, then the hub locker 70 is inactive. If the detent 86 is visible through the aperture 48, then the hub locker 70 is active.
To change the handing of a side of the lock assembly 20, the tang 81 must be visible through the aperture 50 on that side of the lock. If necessary, tang 81 can be positioned behind the aperture 50 by finger action on driver 88 to move the locking bar 74, with the hub locker 70, and carry the tang 81 into a visible position.
To change the hub locker 70 from active to inactive, when the tang 81 is visible, the key cylinder retaining pin 40 is inserted into the second aperture 48, in a direction normal to and towards the plane of the first face 30, to depress the detent 86 out of engagement with the second recess 78. The key cylinder retaining pin 40 also passes through the second recess 78, thereby preventing movement of the first hub locker 70 relative to the housing. Whilst the detent 86 is held in this depressed position by the key cylinder retaining pin 40, the driver 88 is pivoted in order to slide the locking bar 74, relative to the housing 21, towards the advanced position. This causes the detent 86 to move into a position adjacent the first recess 76. The detent 86 then automatically enters the recess 76 as it is spring biased towards same. The locking bar 74 and the detent 86 are prevented from being inadvertently moved past the first recess 76 by the tang 81 abutting the tab 87a (see
To change the hub locker 70 from inactive to active, when the tang 81 is visible, the key cylinder retaining pin 40 is inserted into the first aperture 46, in a direction normal to and towards the plane of the first face 30, to depress the detent 86 out of engagement with the first recess 76. The key cylinder retaining pin 40 also passes through the first recess 76 on the first hub locker 70, thereby preventing movement of the hub locker 70 relative to the housing 21. Whilst the detent 86 is held in this depressed position by the key cylinder retaining pin 40, the driver 88 is pivoted in order to slide the locking bar 74, relative to the housing, towards the withdrawn position. This causes the detent 86 to move into a position adjacent the second recess 78. The locking bar 74 and the detent 86 are prevented from being inadvertently moved past the second recess 78 by the tang 81 abutting the tab 87b (see
As previously described, the operation of changing handing of each side of the lock assembly 20 is foolproof, as the tabs 87a and 87b on the locking bar 74 abut the tang 81 of the hub locker 70 thereby ensuring that the detent 86 must be left in either one of the recesses 76 or 78 and not left disconnected from the hub locker 70. If this was not so, changing the handing may fail if the detent 86 was depressed when the tang 81 was not visible in the aperture 50 (see
Accordingly, the lock assembly 20 is advantageously able to be quickly and easily handed into any one of the four possible combinations without requiring any disassembly, and conveniently using a part of the lock assembly itself (the key cylinder retaining pin). This advantageously avoids any specialised tools being required and removes the risk of component loss or damage.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2009905497 | Nov 2009 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/AU10/01349 | 10/13/2010 | WO | 00 | 11/16/2012 |