AU2022202170A1

AU2022202170A1 - A Snib

Info

Publication number: AU2022202170A1
Application number: AU2022202170A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Simon Butt; Frankie Ngan
Original assignee: TNBT Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TNBT Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-17
Filing date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2022-04-21
Also published as: AU2020202956B2; AU2020202956A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a snib for a lock.

Description

A SNIB

Technical field

The disclosure herein generally relates to a snib for a lock.

Background

A door at the main entrance of a premises, and some other swingable barriers, are generally fitted with a lock. Examples of locks include but are not limited to rim locks - which are generally fastened to the inside face of a door - and mortice locks - which are generally fastened within a door edge-cavity.

to Installed on some mortice locks is an inside lock cylinder and an outside lock cylinder. The inside lock cylinder is generally at the inside face of the door and the outside lock cylinder is generally at the outside face of the door. The inside lock cylinder and the outside lock cylinder can be key actuated to engage and disengage the mortice lock. Examples of lock cylinders include but not limited to an oval lock cylinder and a Euro cylinder.

[5 It is not always acceptable to demand that a key be used to disengage the mortice lock, particularly a key for actuating the inside cylinder lock from within premises. Some premises doors must be openable from the inside without a key in case of fire, for example. Consequently, some locks are fitted with a snib at the inside face of the door instead of a cylinder lock, which is a device for a user to engage or disengage a lock without the use of a key.

Because a snib is generally easy to operate, a person may have no ready way of knowing whether the mortice lock is engaged or disengaged without pulling on the door. An unlocked door may be missed, which may reduce security. A snib may also have the wrong configuration for the handing of the door it is to be attached to. A snib mechanism may also be damaged if excess force is applied to the snib's handle, for example.

It may be desired to have a lock without one or more of the above issues, or more consumer choice may be desired.

Summary

Disclosed herein is a snib for a lock. The snib comprises a body comprising a window. The snib comprises a handle spindle disposed in the body for rotation by a handle. The snib comprises a lock actuator spindle for actuating the lock, the lock actuator spindle being disposed in the body and operationally coupled to the handle spindle. The snib comprises a lock spindle indicator visible through the window and indicative of the rotational position of the lock actuator spindle.

In an embodiment, the lock spindle indicator is at an end of the lock actuator spindle adjacent the window. The lock spindle indicator may be attached to the end of the lock actuator spindle s adjacent the window.

In an embodiment, the body defines a first longitudinal passage in which the handle spindle is rotationally received. The body defines a second longitudinal passage in which the lock actuator spindle is rotationally received. An opening of the first longitudinal passage for the handle spindle may be on an opposite side of the body to an opening of the second longitudinal passage LO for the lock spindle. The first longitudinal passage may be joined to and laterally offset from the second longitudinal passage. The window may be at an end of the second longitudinal passage. The handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle may be in rotational communication at a junction between the first longitudinal passage and the second longitudinal passage.

An embodiment comprises one or more rotation stops arranged to limit a rotation range of at

[S least one of the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle. The handle spindle may comprise a handle spindle cam arranged to cooperate with the rotation stop to limited the rotation range of the handle spindle. The rotation range of the handle spindle may be limited to a rotation range of between eighty degrees and one hundred degrees. The lock actuator spindle may comprise a lock actuator spindle cam arranged to cooperate with the rotation stop to limit the rotation range !o of the lock actuator spindle. The rotation range of the lock actuator spindle may be limited to a rotation range of between eighty degrees and one hundred degrees. The rotation stop may comprise an insert. The insert may be removably attached to the body.

An embodiment comprises at least one of a retention pin and another retention pin. The retention pin may be disposed in a circumferential groove defined by the handle spindle. Another retention pin may be disposed in another circumferential groove defined by the lock actuator spindle. The retention pin may be attached to the body. The other retention pin may be attached to the body.

In an embodiment, the body is configured to be received within an aperture configured to receive a lock cylinder.

In an embodiment, the lock comprises a mortice lock.

Disclosed herein is a kit assemblable into a snib for a lock. The kit comprises a body comprising a window. The kit comprises a handle spindle for being disposed in the body for rotation by a handle. The kit comprises a lock actuation spindle for actuating the lock. The lock actuation spindle is for being disposed in the body and operationally coupled to the handle spindle. The kit comprises a lock spindle indicator for being arranged adjacent the window and indicative of the rotational position of the lock actuator spindle.

Embodiments of the kit are in accordance with the above disclosure for a snib for a lock.

Disclosed herein is a method of changing the handing of a snib for a lock.

Disclosed herein is a snib for a lock. The snib comprises a body. The snib comprises a handle -o spindle disposed in the body for rotation by a handle. The snib comprises a lock actuator spindle disposed in the body and operationally coupled to the handle spindle, the lock actuator spindle being for actuating the lock. The snib comprises a rotation stop. Each of the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle comprise a rotation stop engager arranged to be rotated into engagement with the rotation stop.

s In an embodiment, the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle are rotationally synchronised such that the rotation stop engager of the handle spindle and the rotation stop engager of the lock actuating spindle can simultaneously contact the rotation stop. The handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle may be rotationally synchronised by a timing mechanism. The timing mechanism may comprise a gear of the handle spindle meshed with a gear of the lock actuator o spindle.

In an embodiment, the rotation stop engager of each of the handle spindle and the lock actuating spindle comprise a rotation stop engaging surface.

In an embodiment, the handle is attached to the handle spindle.

Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the 2S embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a front clevational view of a snib for a lock.

Figure 2 shows a side elevational view of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the snib of figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 show the snib of figure 1 having a first handing received at a side of a lock.

Figures 7 and 8 show the snib of figure 1 having a second handing received by another side of the lock.

Figure 9 shows the snib of figure 1 and the lock in a door frame ready to receive the snib.

Figure 10 shows the snib of figure 1 received by the lock in the door frame.

tO Figure 11 shows a front exploded view of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 12 shows a rear exploded view of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 13 shows a front isometric view of a body of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 14 shows a rear isometric view of the body of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 15 shows a front elevation view of a body of the snib of figure 1.

Ls Figure 16 shows a rear elevation view of a body of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 17 shows a front view and corresponding cut away view of the snib of figure 1 with a rotation stop.

Figure 18 shows a front view and corresponding cut away view of the snib of figure 1 without the rotation stop.

Figure 19 shows a cut away view of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 20 shows a side view and a corresponding cross section view of the snib of figure 1 with the rotation stop.

Figure 21 shows a side view and a corresponding cross section view of the snib of figure 1 without the rotation stop.

Figures 22 to 26 illustrates steps in a method for changing the handing of the snib of figure 1.

Figure 27 shows a rear elevational view of the snib of figure 1 with a lock engaging cam removed.

Description of embodiments

Figures 1 to 4 shows various views of an embodiment of a snib generally indicated by numeral 10. Snib 10 is for a lock 11, an example of which is shown in figures 5 - 8 and to which the snib 10 is installed. The lock 11 is in the form of a mortice lock, however it may alternatively be a rim lock or generally any suitable form of lock. Figure 9 shows the lock 11 disposed in a cavity within a door 25, for example an extrusion or stile thereof, and fastened thereto with edge fasteners 27 in the form of screws, in which the lock 11 is ready to receive the snib 10. Figure 10 shows the snib 10 received by the lock 11, wherein the snib 10 is operationally coupled thereto. The snib 10 is retained engaged with the lock 11 with a retention fastener 13 in the form of a pin that is disposed in a retention fastener aperture 15 defined by the lock 11 and another retention faster aperture 17 (figure 2) defined by a body 12 of the snib 10 and adjacent a rear end 21 of a sidewall 19 thereof. The retention fastener 13 is inaccessible when the door is locked. The snib 10 may be retained engaged with the lock 11 in generally any suitable way. For example, flanges, brackets, or blocks may be attached to both the body 12 and the door 25 with fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts and rivets), adhesive or generally any suitable way.

o Figures 11 and 12 respectively show a front exploded view and a rear exploded view of the snib 10, with a longitudinal axis of the snib 10 indicated by numeral 31 in figure 11, the longitudinal axis 31 is parallel to the x axis shown in figure 1. The rear end 21 and a front end 23 of the body 12 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 31. The snib 10 comprises a handle spindle 16 disposed in the body 12 for rotation by a handle 18. The handles spindle 16 is longitudinally aligned, and rotationally mounted within.the body 12. The handle 18 is attached to and integral with the handle spindle 16, however in another embodiment it is removably attached with at least one fastener in the form of a screw, and in another embodiment the handle spindle 16 is operationally coupled to the handle 18 (e.g. by an intermediate spindle in the form of a bar), with the handle rotationally mounted to the body 12 rather than attached to the handle spindle 16. The snib 10 comprises a lock actuator spindle 20 for actuating the lock 11, the lock actuator spindle 20 being disposed in the body 12 and operationally coupled to the handle spindle 16. The lock actuator spindle 20 is longitudinally aligned and rotationally mounted within the body. At an end of the lock actuator spindle 20 is a lock engaging cam 60 arranged to the engage the lock's mechanism. The lock engaging cam 60 is removably attached to the lock actuator spindle 20 with at least one fastener in the form of a screw. In an alternative embodiment the lock engaging cam 60 is permanently attached to the lock actuator spindle 20 with adhesive, braze, rivets or generally any suitable means, or may be integral with the lock actuator spindle 20. The body 12 of the snib 10 comprising a window 14, which is at the front end 23. The window 14 is open, however in an alternative embodiment the window 14 comprises a transparent or translucent sheet comprising glass or polymer, mesh or generally any suitable material in which case the window may be closed. The snib 10 comprises a lock spindle indicator 22 visible through the window 14 and indicative of the rotational position of the lock actuator spindle 20. .O The lock spindle indicator 22 is at a front end 29 of the lock spindle 20 adjacent the window 14. The lock spindle indicator 22 is attached to the front end 29 of the lock spindle 20, and takes the form of a marking to one side of the front end 23 of the lock actuating spindle 20. The marking takes the form of a pigment, however it may take the form of alternatively shaded or coloured pigments on opposite sides of the circular front face 23, a texturing or etching, applied sticker, or .s a separate coloured part that may be attached. As best seen in figure 16, the window 14 is to one side of the centre of the passage 26 in which the lock actuating spindle 20 is rotationally disposed. The opposite sides of the circular front face 23 are alternatively viewed when the handle 18 is turned.

Alternatively, the lock spindle indicator 22 may comprise a similarly marked disk. The disk may :T alternatively be attached to the front end 23, or not be attached and have clearance fit pins disposed in apertures formed through the disk and the lock actuating spindle 20. In yet another embodiment, a lock spindle indicator 22 may be laterally displaced from the lock actuator spindle 20 and rotationally coupled thereto with gears, a belt or generally any suitable way. The window 14 may be suitably located for viewing the laterally displaced lock spindle.

Figures 13 to 16 show various views of the body 12 of the lock 11. The body 12 is configured to be received within an oval aperture 48 (figure 9) configured to receive an oval lock cylinder, however the body 12 may be configured for a lock configured to receive other types of cylinder locks, an example of which includes but is not limited to Euro lock cylinders.

The body 12 defines a first longitudinal passage 24 parallel to the longitudinal axis 31 and in which the handle spindle 16 is rotationally received. The body 12 defines a second longitudinal passage 26 parallel to the longitudinal axis 31 in which the lock actuator spindle 20 is rotationally received. The first longitudinal passage 24 and the second longitudinal passage 26 are laterally spaced apart. An opening 30 of the first longitudinal passage 24 for the handle spindle 16 is at the front 23, on the opposite side of the body 12 to an opening 32 of the second longitudinal passage 26 for the lock actuator spindle 20. The window 14 is at an end of the second longitudinal passage 26, and is adjacent opening 30 of the first longitudinal passage 24.

As best seen in figures 15 - 18, the first longitudinal passage 24 is joined to the second s longitudinal passage 26 at a junction 28 between the first longitudinal passage 24 and the second longitudinal passage 26. The handle spindle 16 and the lock actuator spindle 20 are in rotational communication at the junction 28. Figure 19 shows a cut away view of the snib 10. The handle spindle 16 comprises gear 33 at thejunction 28. Lock actuator spindle 20 comprises gear 35 at the junction 28. The gear 33 of handle spindle 16 is meshed with gear 35 of lock actuator spindle to 20. Alternatively, an idler gear or idler belt may mesh with gears 33 and 35. Friction belts, linkages or generally any suitable means may be used to operationally couple handle spindle 16 and lock actuator spindle 20.

A rotation stop 34 is arranged to cooperate with the handle spindle 16, in this embodiment specifically a handle spindle cam 36 attached thereto (or alternatively threaded thereon, for ts example), to limit a rotation range of the handle spindle 16. The handle spindle cam 36 is integral with the handle spindle 16, but not in all embodiments. The rotation stop 34 is arranged to cooperate with the lock actuator spindle 20, specifically a lock actuator spindle cam 38 attached thereto (or alternatively threaded thereon, for example), to limit the rotation range of the lock actuator spindle 20. The lock actuator spindle cam 38 is integral with the lock actuator o spindle 20, but not in all embodiments. The perimeter of each cam 36,38 has a lemon shape. The handle spindle cam 36 comprises rotationally spaced apart rotation stop engagers 52,54,56,58 (figure 20) in the form of surfaces that are each orientated 90 degrees with respect to an adjacent one the surfaces. The lock actuator spindle cam 38 comprises rotationally spaced apart rotation stop engagers 70,72,74,76, each rotation stop engager being in the form of stop engaging surface. The rotation stop engagers 52,54,56,58, 70, 72,74, 76 are arranged to be rotated into engagement with the rotation stop 34 and so stop further rotation on the handle spindle 16 and the lock actuation spindle 20. The handle spindle 15 and the lock actuation spindle are rotationally synchronised such that a rotation stop engager of the handle spindle and a rotation stop engager of the lock actuating spindle can simultaneously contact the rotation stop. Which rotation stop engagers engage depend on the handing of the snib and the direction the handle 18 is rotated. The rotational synchronization is by a timing mechanism, which in this embodiment comprises meshed gears 33,35, however in alternative embodiments the timing mechanism may comprise a timing belt or generally any suitable way.

When both the handle spindle 16 and the lock actuator spindle 20 are simultaneously stopped by the rotation stop 34, the gears 33 and 35 may have relatively low internal stresses because of the absence of a torque being applied from one gear 33 to the other 35. This may prevent excess force applied to the handle 18 breaking the snib, for example preventing a gear on one of the s gears 33, 35 from breaking.

Alternatively, the spindles 16,20 may alternatively comprise a transverse bar having opposite ends that can be rotated into interfering contact with the rotation stop 34. The rotation stop 34 may be integral with the body 12. Generally, any form of rotation limiting mechanism may be used. In alternative embodiments only one of the handle spindle 16 and the lock actuator spindle to 20 may be stopped by the rotation stop 24 because stopping one of the lock actuator spindle 20 and the handle spindle 16 will stop the other. Snub robustness may be increased by stopping both spindles 16,20 with the rotation stop 34. The rotation range of at least one of the handle spindle 16 and the lock actuator spindle 20 is limited to a rotation range of 90 degrees. Comparing figures 5 and 6 (and similarly comparing figures 7 and 8), the handle 18 is shown in rotational Ls positions 90 degrees apart, wherein the handle is shown to be pulled down to actuate the lock such that the lock's bolt 37 is withdrawn to enable passage of the lock's operator. In alternative embodiments, the rotational range may be between eighty degrees and one hundred degrees as suitable, and in some cases a range of 150 degrees or more may be suitable.

The rotation stop 34 comprises an insert 41 in the form of a pin 41. As indicated in figure 11, the :0 rotation stop 34 has an externally threaded head 39 configured to engaged a threaded internal surface 43 around a rotation stop receiving aperture that has an opening at the junction 28 so that the rotation stop 34 (for example the pin 41) can be disposed in the junction 28. The threaded head 39 is configured to engage a driving tool in the form of a hex driver for removably attaching the rotation stop to the body 12. In another embodiment, the rotation stop 34 may be in the form of a plain pin that is configured for a friction or press fit into the rotation stop receiving aperture, and the body may have another aperture on the opposite side of the body 12 that enable the pin to be tapped out. The pin however, may be permanently fastened with adhesive, braze, a screw missing a head, or generally any suitable way. In yet other embodiments, the rotation stop 34 may comprise a clip, bar, screw, bolt or may have generally any suitable form.

A fastener 40 (figure 19) in the form of a retention pin is disposed in a circumferential groove 44 defined by the handle spindle 16 and a fastener aperture defined by the body 12 to retain the handle spindle within the body 12. Another fastener 46 in the form of another retention pin may be disposed in another circumferential groove 48 defined by the lock actuator spindle 20 to retain the lock actuator spindle within the body 12. The fasteners 40,46 may be attached to the body 12 using a friction or press fit, or alternatively adhesive, a weld, a braze or generally any suitable means. The fasteners 40, 46 may alternatively take the form of a screw, clip or generally any suitable fastener.

s A kit of parts that can be assembled into the snib 10 is now described. The kit comprises a body 12 comprising a window 14. The kit comprises a handle spindle 16 for being disposed in the body 12 for rotation by a handle 18. The handle spindle may be predisposed in the body 12. The snib 10 kit comprises a lock actuation spindle 20 for actuating the lock 11, the lock actuation spindle 20 for being disposed in the body 12 and operationally coupled to the handle spindle 16. o The lock actuation spindle 20 may be predisposed in the body 12. The kit comprises a lock spindle indicator 22 for being arranged adjacent the window 14 and indicative of the rotational position of the lock actuator spindle 20. Embodiments of the kit further comprise all possible combinations of the features shown in any combination of figures and/or described.

The handing of the snib 10 can be changed. The snib 10 can have one of a first handing and a . second handing. A handing is shown in figures 5 and 6 wherein the snib 10 is handed for mounting to the left hand edge of the door with the door hinge at the right hand edge of the door. The handing of the snib 10 can be changed to the other of the first and the second handing, for example the handing shown in figures 7 and 8. Steps of a method for changing the handing of the snib 10 for a lock 11 will now be described with reference to figures 22 to 26. Figure 22 :o shows the snib 10 with a first handing. In figure 23, the lock engaging cam 60 is optionally detached from the body 12 by unfastening cam fastener 61 in the form of a screw that attaches the cam 60 to the lock actuation spindle 16. The lock engaging cam 60 may already be detached. Cam fastener 61 may take generally any suitable form, examples of which include but are not limited to a clip, a circlip, and a poppet. The cam 60 and the lock actuator spindle 20 are configured to enable a first attached rotational orientation of the cam relative to the spindle - figures 22 and 23 - and a second attached rotational orientation of the cam relative to the spindle - figures 24 to 26. The first rotational orientation is turned 180 degrees with respect to the second rotational orientation. The cam 60 has a first orientating feature 63 in the form of a raised rib that cooperates with second orientating feature in the form of a slot 80 at the end face of the lock actuating spindle 20 to fix the rotational orientation of the cam 60 relative to the spindle 20. First orientating feature 63 can be received in a first orientation ("down") and a second orientation ("up") by the second orientating feature, corresponding respectively to the first rotational orientation and the second rotational orientation of the cam 60, In figure 24, the cam 60 is turned to give it the second rotational orientation. The cam fastener 61 is then fastened to the lock actuating spindle 20. As shown in figure 25, the handle 18 is then rotated 180 degrees. Figure 26 shows the snib 10 now in a handing for mounting to the right hand edge of the door, with the door hinge at the left had ledge of the door. The order of the steps can be changed as suitable, for example the lock engaging cam can be detached and reattached re s orientated before other steps are performed.

Now that embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may have some of the following advantages:

• Whether the lock is engaged or disengaged can be determined by viewing the window. • The snib may be reconfigured to a door having either handing. • The snib may rereconfigured for use on either side of a door, so that keyless entry and/or exit is enabled. * Keyless entry and/or exit may be enabled.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. For example:

0 The snib may be for a rim lock, or generally any other type of lock as suitable and desired. * While the various pins and stops illustrated comprise circular cylinders, they may in alternative embodiments be rectangular cylinders or generally have cross sections of any suitable shape. !0 a The internal mechanism of the lock may be relatively stronger and harder to damage.

The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claims

I. A snib for a lock, the snib comprising: a body; Sa handle spindle disposed in the body for rotation by a handle; a lock actuator spindle disposed in the body and operationally coupled to the handle spindle, the lock actuator spindle being for actuation of the lock; and one or more rotation stops; wherein each of the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle comprise a rotation stop .0 engager arranged to be rotated into engagement with the one or more rotation stop(s).
2. A snib defined by claim 1, wherein the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle are rotationally synchronised such that the rotation stop engager of the handle spindle and the rotation stop engager of the lock actuating spindle can simultaneously contact the one or more rotation stop(s).
S 3. A snib defined by claim 2, wherein the handle spindle and the lock actuator spindle are rotationally synchronised by a timing mechanism.
4. A snib defined by claim 3, wherein the timing mechanism comprises a gear of the handle spindle meshed with a gear of the lock actuator spindle.
5. A snib defined by any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation stop engager of each of the handle spindle and the lock actuating spindle comprises a rotation stop engaging surface.
6. A snib defined by any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle is attached to the handle spindle.
7. A snib defined by any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more rotation 2S stop(s) is/are removable.
8. A method for changing the handing of a snib for a lock defined by any one of the claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the steps of: detaching a lock actuating cam in a first attached rotational orientation from the lock actuating spindle; attaching the lock actuating cam in a second attached rotational orientation to the lock actuating spindle; and rotating the handle spindle around a handle spindle axis by 180 degrees.