Multi-point locks are often used on sliding doors. The locks may include two or more locking elements that pivot out of one or more lock housings to engage with keeper elements on a door frame. Multi-point locks offer increased security over single-point locks that include only a single locking element. Some advantages of multi-point locks include locking elements that pivot in opposite directions, to both upwardly engage and downwardly engage an associated keeper. This engagement in two directions helps prevent a sliding door from being lifted off a track, which may defeat the lock. Additionally, since the locking elements of multi-point locks may be located a distance from a central location (typically sliding door locks are installed near a handle of a door), it may be more difficult for a would-be intruder to identify the locking element locations, thus reducing the intruder's ability to overcome the lock. Other advantages of multi-point locks are known in the art.
While often more secure, multi-point locks are typically more expensive to manufacture. Such locks often require complex components regardless of the number of lock assemblies used. For locks that include multiple lock assemblies, these assemblies may need to be modified significantly to join a number of assemblies together. In this regard, multi-point locks typically require assembly at a manufacturing facility, which again increases price.
In one aspect, the technology relates to a multi-point door lock including: a first lock assembly and a second lock assembly, each of the first lock assembly and the second lock assembly having: a housing; an actuator defining an actuator slot; and a locking element pivotally engaged with the housing, wherein a rotation of the actuator causes a rotation of the locking element from a retracted position to an extended position; a master lever arm located external from the first lock assembly housing and defining a master lever arm slot aligned with the actuator slot of the first lock assembly; a slave lever arm located external from the second lock assembly housing and engaged with the actuator slot of the second lock assembly; a link connected to both the master lever arm and the slave lever arm and located external to both the first lock assembly housing and the second lock assembly housing; and a face plate secured to both the first lock assembly housing and the second lock assembly housing. In one embodiment, the lock includes an actuation lever having a tailpiece engaged with both the master lever arm slot and the actuator slot of the first lock assembly, wherein a rotational force applied by the actuation lever to the master lever arm causes a rotation of the slave lever arm. In another embodiment, the tailpiece is integral with the actuation lever. In yet another embodiment, the slave lever arm includes a projection. In still another embodiment, the locking element of the first lock assembly and the locking element of the second lock assembly rotate in opposite directions.
In another embodiment of the above aspect, the link includes at least one of a bar drive and a cable drive. In another embodiment, the cable drive includes at least one of a channel and a tube, and a cable adapted to move therein. In an embodiment, the cable drive includes a first cable and a second cable, wherein the first cable is connected to a first connection on the master lever arm and the second cable is connected to a second connection on the master lever arm. In yet another embodiment, the first connection, the master lever arm slot, and the second connection define an alignment axis. In still another embodiment, the bar drive is pivotally connected to both of the master lever arm and the slave lever arm.
In another embodiment of the above aspect, the technology relates to a multi-point lock, further including: a third lock assembly having: a third lock assembly housing secured to the face plate; a third lock assembly actuator defining a third lock assembly actuator slot; and a third lock assembly locking element pivotally engaged with the third lock assembly housing; and a third lever arm located external from the third lock assembly housing and having a projection engaged with the third lock assembly actuator slot, wherein the third lever arm is connected to the link.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a gang kit useful in forming a multi-point lock, the gang kit including: a master lever arm defining a master lever arm slot adapted to align with an actuator slot on a first lock assembly; a slave lever arm adapted to engage with an actuator slot on a second lock assembly; a link adapted to connect to both the master lever arm and the slave lever arm; and a face plate adapted to be secured to both the first lock assembly and the second lock assembly. In an embodiment, the gang kit further includes an actuation lever including a tailpiece adapted to engage with both the master lever arm slot and the actuator slot of the first lock assembly. In another embodiment, the gang kit further includes the first lock assembly and the second lock assembly. In yet another embodiment, the gang kit further includes a channel adapted to at least partially enclose the master lever arm, the slave lever arm, and the link. In still another embodiment the channel is integral with the face plate. In another embodiment, the slave link arm includes a projection.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a method of ganging a first lock assembly and a second lock assembly, the method including: securing the first lock assembly and the second lock assembly to a face plate; connecting a link to a master lever arm and a slave lever arm; aligning a slot defined by the master lever arm with an actuator slot of the first lock assembly; and securing a slave lever arm to an actuator of the second lock assembly. In an embodiment, the slave arm securing step includes inserting a projection through both a slave lever arm slot and a slot defined by the actuator of the second lock assembly. In another embodiment, the slave lever arm securing step includes inserting a projection integral with the slave lever arm into a slot defined by the actuator of the second lock assembly. In yet another embodiment, the method includes inserting a tailpiece of an actuation lever through both the master lever arm slot and the actuator slot of the first lock assembly.
There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The MPL 100 depicted in
A slave lever arm 108a is engaged with an actuator slot 116 on the actuator 114 in the second lock assembly 102a. In the depicted embodiment, a projection 122 is integral with the slave lever arm 108a and engages the actuator slot 116 in the second lock assembly 102a. Additionally or alternatively, either or both of the master lever arm 108b and slave lever arm 108a may be secured to their respective actuators 114 with one or more screws or other fasteners. The link 106 is pivotally connected to both the master lever arm 108b and the slave lever arm 108a with rivets, screws, or other fasteners 124. In another embodiment, the link may define one or more openings sized to engage a projection on each lever arm. This link 106 may be a metal bar or rod, or a free or contained cable or wire. During use, when the lock cylinder or actuation lever L is actuated, the rotation of the tailpiece 120 rotates both the master lever arm 108b and the actuator 114 of the first lock assembly 102b. Rotation of the master lever arm 108b and translation of the link 106 compels rotation of the slave lever arm 108a and, accordingly, the actuator 114 of the second lock assembly 102a. In that regard, rotation of the single lock cylinder or actuation lever L pivots both locking elements 112 from refracted positions to extended positions.
In an alternative embodiment, cable 306a may instead be connected to points 1 and 3 on the master lever arm 308b, and cable 306b may be connected to points 2 and 4 on the slave lever arm 308a. Provided that one of the lock assemblies 302b, 302a is oriented appropriately, the locking elements of the two assemblies 302b, 302a will extend and retract in opposite pivotal directions. Although points 1 and 4 are depicted aligned along an axis A (sharing the axis A with a point on the slot 318), the connection points between the cables 306a, 306b and the master lever arm 308b (as well as the connection points on the slave lever arm 308a) may be located elsewhere. A channel 300a is also depicted in
The MPLs depicted herein may be sold as a kit including the components necessary to construct an MPL using two or more lock assemblies. In certain embodiments, the kit may include a master lever arm, a slave lever arm, a faceplate, a link, and any required connectors or fasteners. The link may be field configurable to allow for connection between two lever arms, regardless of the spacing of the two corresponding lock assemblies. This configurability may be achieved by breaking or cutting the link in an appropriate position. In one embodiment, the master lever arm and the slave lever arm may be identical or substantially so. If the master lever arm and slave lever arm each define a slot, a discrete projection element may be included in the kit to engage the slave lever arm with the actuator slot in the appropriate lock housing. The kit may include two or more lock assemblies, as well as an actuator lever. The actuator lever may be configured to match or otherwise complement a handle configuration that may also be included with the kit.
At least one advantage of the multi-point lock described herein is that existing lock assemblies may be ganged together to produce a multi-point lock with minimal modification of the assemblies themselves. In that regard, the additional components (lever arms, links, fasteners, etc.) may be easily assembled without modification of the lock assemblies. Readily available lock assemblies may easily be ganged together to produce a robust multi-point lock with little additional expense.
The entire multi-point lock or components thereof may be manufactured by known techniques using tooled, cast, or stamped metals typically used in the door hardware industry. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, various grades of stainless steel, zinc, brass, etc. Additionally, depending on the application and desired robustness of components, certain components may be manufactured of various injection molded plastics, including PVC, ABS, or other plastics.
While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/422,867, filed Dec. 14, 2010, entitled “System and Method for Ganging Locks,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61422867 | Dec 2010 | US |