AU2005201448A1 - A Privacy Adapter Containing a Clutch Mechanism - Google Patents

Description

o A Privacy Adapter Containing a Clutch Mechanism Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a lock particularly for use on an internal door and which 0 can function as a privacy adapter by which is meant that the door can be locked from the outside but can be operated from the inside. This type of lock finds particular osuitability with bathroom doors, although it should be appreciated that no particular limitation is meant thereby.

0 o Background Art A privacy adapter is a term used for a particular type of lock. The lock typically comprises an external handle and an internal handle. The external handle can be "locked" by which is meant that the external handle cannot open the door. The mechanism of the lock is such that a person inside the bathroom can lock and unlock the external handle.

In order to provide some level of "override" mechanism, it is known to provide something that enables the external lock handle to be operated in an emergency (for instance if a person on the outside of the door needs to get in).

Although there are many types of privacy adapters available in the marketplace, one disadvantage with many of these is that when the external handle is locked, it is unable to rotate. A person on the outside can attempt to force the handle and this can cause damage to the internal components of the lock.

In our earlier patent 737076 we described an electrically controlled lock that finds suitability in hotels etc and which contains a solenoid that can provide a privacy 3 0 function. However, this type of electrically controlled lock finds little suitability in residential uses such as homes.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if a privacy adapter could be provided that tt 0 o does not contain any electrical components and which can overcome at least the disadvantage of the outside handle being locked against rotation when the outside of the door is locked.

0 It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this OO reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

IObject of the Invention 0 o It is an object of the invention to provide a lock, and particularly a lock of the type which is known as a privacy adapter and which can overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a lock, the lock comprising a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism comprising a drive plate and a driven plate, the clutch mechanism being operatively associated with an outside handle such that when the clutch is engaged, rotation of the outside handle causes rotation of the drive plate and the driven plate, and when the clutch is disengaged, rotation of the outside handle causes rotation only of the drive plate but not the driven plate, an actuator that is movable between a clutch engaging position and the clutch disengaging position, and a button that is on the "inside" of the lock, the button being manually operatable by a person on the inside of the door, the button being operatively associated with the actuator such that operation of the button operate the actuator and therefore engages or disengages the clutch mechanism.

Thus, the lock now allows the "outside" handle to be turned even when the lock is in the locked position. Consequently, a person on the outside of the door is not presented with a "non rotating" handle that can be forced and damage the internal components of the lock. Instead, a person on the outside of the door can still rotate the handle, but because the clutch is disengaged, rotation of the outside handle does not operate the latch tongue and therefore does not open the door.

tt 0 o A person on the inside can push (or otherwise manipulate) the button to engage or disengage the clutch mechanism in the lock and therefore to enable the outside handle r to open the door, or to rotate without opening the door.

0 S It is preferred to have an emergency override mechanism such that a person on the O outside of the door can override the lock mechanism to open the door should it be necessary to do so. In one form, the emergency override mechanism may comprise an Sopening in part of the lock componentry that is on the outside of the door and which can allow an instrument such as a knife, pen, ruler etc to be pushed through the hole to unlock the lock, for instance by causing the clutch to engage.

The lock can be used in any particular situation where a lock having this type of privacy mechanism will find suitability. It is not considered that the invention should be limited only to the use of the lock on bathroom doors and the lock may be applicable in other circumstances. It is considered that the main use of this type of lock will be in relation to doors although there may be circumstances where the lock may be used on windows. The lock will typically be used on hinged doors although it is considered that the lock may also be used on sliding doors and the like.

The lock will typically ultimately contain an external handle and an internal handle.

For ease of convenience, the external handle will be considered as the one on the outside of the door and the internal handle will be considered as the one on the inside of the door. Also, for ease of convenience, the term "outside" of the lock may include the part of the lock that is accessible or is on the outside of the door and the term "inside" of the lock may include the part of the lock that is accessible or is on the inside of the door.

The handle may comprise any suitable type of handle and will typically comprise a lever handle or a knob. However, it is not considered that the invention should be limited to any particular shape, size, manufacture and the like of the handle.

The lock will typically comprise a spindle that can rotate about its longitudinal axis.

The spindle will typically be attached to a latch tongue assembly which can be quite O conventional. Thus, rotation of the spindle will cause retraction of the latch tongue.

Conversely, if the spindle is held against rotation, the latch tongue will not retract.

The lock will typically comprise a first component that is screwed (or otherwise attached) to the outside of the door, and a second component that is screwed (or OO otherwise attached) to the inside of the door. The door will typically contain a Sthrough bore to enable a spindle to connect to the first component and the second O component, and a further opening will typically be cut into the edge of the door to accommodate the latch tongue, this also being quite conventional.

01 O The first component and the second component will typically comprise a mounting plate that can be attached to the door (typically by screws), and a housing that can be attached to the mounting plate, the housing containing various components of the lock (for instance the clutch mechanism etc).

The clutch mechanism may be provided within the first component and therefore may be provided on the outside of the door. The clutch mechanism will typically comprise a first clutch plate and a second clutch plate which, for the sake of convenience, can be called a drive plate and a driven plate.

The clutch mechanism may comprise additional plates.

In order to enable the clutch plates to firmly grip each other when the clutch is engaged, it is preferred that at least one clutch plate, and preferably both clutch plates are profiled to enhance the grip. For instance, one clutch plate may be provided with at least one projection and the other clutch plate may be provided with at least one recess such that the projection can at least partially enter into the recess when the clutch is engaged to provide a firmer locking arrangement. Suitably, one clutch plate will be provided with a plurality of projections and the other clutch plate will be provided with a plurality of corresponding recesses. The projections may comprise buttons, ribs, ridges, projections having other shapes and configurations and the like.

Similarly, the recesses may have corresponding shapes. It is envisaged that each clutch plate may comprise projections and recesses.

It is preferred that the projections are sized and configured such that if the clutch plates are separated by a few millimetres, this will be sufficient to disengage the clutch mechanism.

o Each clutch plate may be substantially planar if desired and may be substantially circular although it is envisaged that the clutch plates may be oval, rectangular, or ohave other shapes, or be non-planar, providing that the clutch plates can still engage tn and disengage.

010 o It is envisaged that the clutch plates will directly contact each other when engaged although it may be considered desirable to have some form of intermediate member that enables one clutch plate to be operatively engaged or operatively disengaged with the other clutch plate.

Biasing means may be provided to bias at least one clutch plate to the other clutch plate such that the clutch mechanism naturally adopts the engaged position. The biasing means may comprise a spring. The spring may bias the drive plate to the driven plate.

Suitably, the clutch mechanism contains means to enable the mechanism to rotate the spindle. Typically, the driven plate will contain some form of attachment means or engagement means that can attach to one end of the spindle such that rotation of the driven plate will cause rotation of the spindle. However, no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by illustrating this preferred method of engaging the clutch mechanism with the spindle.

Suitably, the drive plate is operatively associated with an external handle such that rotation of the external handle rotates the drive plate.

O Thus, rotation of the external handle can rotate the drive plate, but if the clutch is disengaged, rotation of the drive plate will not cause rotation of the driven plate and cr therefore will not cause rotation of the spindle and therefore will not cause retraction of the latch tongue.

OO The lock contains an actuator. The actuator can function to operate the clutch Smechanism, for instance to cause the clutch mechanism to engage or disengage.

The actuator is preferably within, or substantially within the confines of the lock, and 0 will typically be positioned within the first component which may be on the outside of the door. The actuator can move in any suitable manner to directly or indirectly cause the clutch mechanism to engage or disengage. In a preferred form, the actuator can slide between a clutch engaging position and a clutch disengaging position.

The actuator may comprise a separate member that is fitted to the lock. The separate member may comprise a cam. Movement of the actuator to a first position may cause the cam to force at least one of the drive plates out of engagement with the other drive plate. Typically, the cam will force the drive plate out of engagement with the driven plate. Movement of the actuator to a second (retracted) position can allow the drive plate to engage each other.

Suitably, the actuator also comprises part of an emergency override mechanism which enables at least part of the actuator to be directly or indirectly contacted by an item (for instance a knife, pen, ruler) to push or otherwise move the actuator back to the second retracted position to enable the outside handle to open the door. This will be described in greater detail below.

The lock will typically comprise a second component. The second component will typically be attached to the inside of the door. The second component will typically be attached to an internal handle which is operatively associated with the common spindle such that rotation of the internal handle causes rotation of the spindle and therefore retraction of the latch tongue.

0 o The second component may contain the button that can be operated manually by a person on the inside of the door to "lock" or "unlock" the external handle.

It should be appreciated that the term "button" should be given a broad meaning and may comprise any type of projection or part that can be pressed or otherwise contacted OO by a person. The button can be pushed, twisted, rotated, pulled and the like to lock or unlock the external handle. If desired, a number of such buttons may be provided.

o The button may comprise a projection, a snib, a ring, or any other type of suitable structure that enables the button to be operated. It is preferred however that the button 0 comprises a member that can be pushed downwardly, or into, the lock.

The button is typically operatively associated ultimately with the clutch mechanism such that operation of the button will disengage the clutch mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, depression of the button will cause the clutch mechanism to be disengaged which results in the external handle being "locked" by which is meant that the external handle can be rotated but the rotation will not cause retraction of the latch tongue.

As it is preferred that the clutch mechanism and the actuator is in the first component, and that the button is in the second component, some form of link member or members may be required to enable the button to be operatively associated with the actuator that engages or disengages the clutch mechanism.

In one form, the link member comprises a small spindle that is operated upon operation of the button. The spindle may operate by being rotated at least partially about the longitudinal axis. However, the spindle may also slide if desired.

The spindle may be operatively associated either directly or indirectly with the actuator. It is preferred that the spindle engages with a secondary actuator and that the secondary actuator operates the actuator that engages with the clutch mechanism. Of course, no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by the particularisation of these preferred features.

0 o Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following Ndrawings in which:

OS

s OO Figure 1. Illustrates part of the lock that is positioned on the outside of the door Sand can comprise the first component.

Figure 2. Illustrates part of the lock that is positioned on the inside of the door 0 and can comprise the second component.

Figure 3. Illustrates an end view and a section view of the first component.

Figure 4. Illustrates an end view and a section view of the second component.

Best Mode Referring initially to figure 1, this illustrates the first component of the lock which is the part of the lock that can be fixed to the outside of the door. The main components illustrated in figure 1 are as follows a spring 10 which is fitted inside an external handle (not illustrated), a mounting plate 11, a drive plate 12 which forms part of the clutch mechanism, a housing 13 that holds the clutch components together, a driven plate 14 which forms part of the clutch mechanism, a spindle 15, an actuator 16 that functions to engage or disengage the clutch plate and which will be described in greater detail below, a secondary actuator 17 that forms part of a link mechanism to link the button which is on the inside of the door ultimately with the actuator 16 and which will be described in greater detail below, and a housing 18 into which the various components can be fitted.

Figure 3 illustrates an end view and a section view of these components.

Referring now to figure 2, this illustrates the second component of the lock which is the part of the lock that can be fixed to the inside of the door. The main components o are a mounting plate 20, a button 21, a link member in the form of a small spindle 22, and a housing 23 to house these components.

The spindle 15 illustrated in figure 1 and in figure 3 extends through the door and interconnects the first component of the lock on the outside of the door (figure 1) with OO the second component of the lock on the inside of the door (figure 2).

Referring in greater detail to the components in figure 1, mounting plate 11 comprises a circular metal member that can be screwed to the door. A door rose (not illustrated) o 10 can then be mounted to the front of the mounting plate 11, and the door rose can support an external handle (also not illustrated). The door rose can be conventional in design.

The external handle (not illustrated) will conventionally contain an inner end that passes through the central opening in mounting plate 11 and which is fixed to a square boss 26 extending from drive plate 12. Typically, the inner end of the handle will contain a recess which is configured to fit over the boss 26. This is quite conventional. The recess in the handle can also accommodate spring 10. Boss 26 contains a small central recess 27 to accommodate one end of spring 10. Thus, spring 10 is trapped between boss 26 and the external handle and functions to bias the drive plate 12 into engagement with the driven plate 14.

Drive plate 12 comprises a circular disk that engages with driven plate 14 when the two plates are together. To assist with the attachment of the two plates together, the driven plate 14 contains some recesses 28, and the facing side of the drive plate (not illustrated in figure 1 that only illustrates the rear side of the drive plate) contains similar type projections that pass into recesses 28. Thus, if drive plate 12 engages against driven plate 14, the two plates will rotate together.

As drive plate 12 is attached to the external handle (external handle not illustrated), rotation of the external handle will always cause rotation of drive plate 12. That is, in the particular embodiment, drive plate 12 will always rotate upon rotation of the external handle.

The housing 13 extends substantially about drive plate 12 and driven plate 14, and the r housing together with the drive plates comprises the clutch mechanism.

O

0 The driven plate 14 is attached to spindle 15. Spindle 15 is a typical "square bar" type 00 spindle. In the middle of the spindle is a small recess 29 that engages to the latch Stongue mechanism which is also not illustrated but which is quite conventional in o design. The latch tongue mechanism is a separate component that contains a rear square hole and the spindle slides into the square hole. The square configuration 0 ensures that rotation of the spindle causes retraction of the latch tongue. The latch tongue mechanism typically contains a spring which means that if the handle is released, the spring will automatically push the latch tongue back into the extended locking position. This is quite conventional.

The end of spindle 15 passes into an opening in driven plate 14 as illustrated in figure 1, and a small circlip 30 is used to attach the spindle 15 to the driven plate 14. The attachment is such that if the driven plate 14 is rotated, spindle 15 will also be rotated.

Thus, if the clutch mechanism is in the engaged position where drive plate 12 engages against driven plate 14, it can be seen that operation of the external handle will cause rotation of spindle 15 and therefore retraction of the latch tongue. Therefore, the external handle is now in the "operable" condition and can lock and unlock the door.

The clutch mechanism can be disengaged by forcing back the drive plate 12 against engagement to driven plate 14. In the preferred embodiment, this is achieved by actuator 16. Actuator 16 has a large central opening through which the spindle can pass such that the spindle can rotate without striking any part of the actuator.

The actuator contains two end portions 31, 32. End portion 32 contains a cam 33.

The actuator 16 is positioned within the housing 18 of the first component for sliding movement along an axis which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the spindle. Put differently, actuator 16 can reciprocate or slide transversely to the V] 11

O

O rotation axis of the spindle 15. The degree of sliding movement will typically be between 2-5 mm and in the particular embodiment will be about 2.5 mm which is not r large but is sufficient to enable the actuator to disengage the clutch mechanism.

0 In use, actuator 16 is positioned behind driven plate 14. Cam 33 on actuator 16 OO projects somewhat forwardly which means that when the actuator is positioned behind z" driven plate 14, the cam is positioned between the driven plate 14 and the drive plate o 12. At this stage, it should be appreciated that drive plate 12 is biased by spring Iand can be pushed backwardly, but driven plate 14 is attached to the frontal spindle O 10 and is unable to be pushed backwardly.

The actuator 16 can be pushed transversely which means that cam 33 now pushes between the plates of the clutch mechanism and forces drive plate 12 back against the bias of spring 10. Once this occurs, drive plate 12 no longer engages with driven plate 14. Consequently, the external handle, when rotated, will cause rotation of drive plate 12 but will no longer cause rotation of driven plate 14. The external handle is now "dead" or "locked" which does not mean that the external handle cannot rotate but means that rotation of the external handle does not cause rotation of spindle 15 and therefore does not cause retraction of the latch tongue.

The actuator 16 can be manipulated between the clutch disengaging position and the clutch engaging position ultimately by the button 21 on the second component and this will be described in greater detail below. However, actuator 16 also forms part of an emergency override mechanism that enables the external handle to be operated to open the door. In the particular embodiment, this is achieved using the end portion 31 of the actuator. The end portion 31 sits just within the periphery of an opening 34 in housing 18 (see figure Thus, when the first component is fitted to the door, there will be an opening 34 but the end portion 31 will sit discreetly just within the confines of the first component. In an emergency, a knife, pen, ruler etc can be pushed into opening 34, and this will push actuator 16 into the "retracted" position where cam 33 is no longer pushing back drive plate 12 and therefore where drive plate 12 is now biased by spring 10 into engagement with driven plate 14.

V12

O

O Referring now to the features of the "inside" part of the lock, that is the second component illustrated in figure 2, this illustrates a mounting plate 20 and a housing 23. With this component, the housing 23 sits between the mounting plate 20 and the D inside of the door. That is, housing 23 is sandwiched between the mounting plate and the door. An internal handle is attached to the common spindle 15 which passes OO through the central opening in housing 23 and mounting plate 20 A rose (not illustrated) will typically be attached over the top of housing 23 to hide the internal O components, this being quite conventional.

The arrangement is such that rotation of the internal handle always causes rotation of spindle 15 and always causes rotation of driven plate 14. Thus, rotation of the internal lever handle always causes retraction of the latch tongue and therefore opening of the door.

A person on the inside of the door can "lock" the external handle on the outside of the door by depressing button 21. Button 21 is a small sliding member that sits within a cavity 36 on the inside of housing 23. The button 21 can move between a projecting position (illustrated in figure 4) and a depressed position (not illustrated).

The button 22 contains an opening 37 of a particular shape. The opening 37 captures the head portion 38 of a small spindle 22. The arrangement is such that when the button is depressed, it will cause part rotation of the small spindle 22 about the longitudinal axis of the spindle. Conversely, when the button is returned to the extended position, the small spindle 22 will be rotated in an opposite direction. The small spindle 22 passes through an opening in housing 23 and engages with the small secondary adapter 17 which forms part of the first component of the lock and which is illustrated in figure 1. The attachment of these parts is such that rotation of the small spindle 22 will also cause rotation of the secondary adapter 17.

Referring now to figure 1, the secondary adapter 17 contains a cam 40 that engages into the rear of actuator 16. Thus, rotation of the secondary adapter will cause rotation of cam 40 which will push actuator 16 into engagement with drive plate 12 to disengage the clutch.

I J As the secondary adapter 17 is connected to the small spindle 22 which is connected to button 21, the arrangement is such that depression of button 21 will cause rotation Iof small spindle 22, and therefore rotation of the secondary adapter 17 and therefore operation of actuator 16. Thus, a person on the inside of the door can depress button OO 21 to cause the outside handle of the door to be disengaged and inoperative. This ensures a privacy mode.

To "release" button 21, all that is necessary is to turn the inside handle. When the o 10 inside handle is turned, button 21 will automatically return to the extended position which, ultimately, will cause the clutch to return to the engaged position to enable the outside handle to be operated. How this operates is as follows: rotation of the inside handle causes rotation of spindle 15 and rotation of driven plate 14. Referring now to figure 1, driven plate 14 is not entirely circular and has a cam profile about its perimeter. Thus, as the driven plate 14 rotate, it will "kick" the cam 33 of actuator 16 into the release position to reengage drive plate 12 to driven plate 14. As the actuator 16 moves to the "release" position, this movement will cause counter rotation of the secondary adapter 17 as the cam 40 of the secondary adapter 17 is trapped within actuator 16. Then, counter rotation of adapter 17 will cause counter rotation of the small spindle 22 which will force button 21 back into the "up" position.

Thus, the lock according to the present invention provides a privacy function in a relatively simple manner. The privacy function manifests itself by making the external handle "dead" while still enabling the external handle to be turned (but not operating the latch tongue). The privacy function can be operated very conveniently by depressing the small button on the inside of the lock. Turning of the inside handle (to leave the bathroom etc) causes the button to be returned to the "up" position without needing to manipulate the button directly.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Ic) 14 0 0 SThroughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires r otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to 0 the value for the range qualified by the terms.

0 00 It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A lock comprising a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism D comprising a drive plate and a driven plate, the clutch mechanism being operatively associatable with an outside handle such that when the clutch is engaged, rotation of OO the outside handle causes rotation of the drive plate and the driven plate, and when the clutch is disengaged, rotation of the outside handle causes rotation only of the drive o plate but not the driven plate, an actuator that is movable between a clutch engaging position and the clutch disengaging position, and a button that is on the "inside" of the 0 O 10 lock, the button being manually operatable by a person on the inside of the door, the button being operatively associated with the actuator such that operation of the button operate the actuator and therefore engages or disengages the clutch mechanism.

2. The lock as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first component adapted for attachment to the outside of the door, and a second component adapted for attachment to the inside of the door.

3. The lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first component contains the clutch mechanism and the actuator, and the second component contains the button.

4. The lock as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a spindle interconnects the first component and the second component. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive plate is adapted for rotation upon rotation of an outside handle.

6. The lock as claimed in claim 5, wherein rotation of the outside handle always causes rotation of the drive plate. 3 0 7. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the driven plate is adapted for rotation upon rotation of an inside handle. O 8. The lock as claimed in claim 7, wherein rotation of the inside handle always causes rotation of the driven plate.

9. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive plate is biased against the driven plate. 00 The lock as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive plate is biased O against a driven plate by a spring that is adapted to extend partially into an external In handle. 010

11. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a spindle, the spindle being attached relative to the driven plate such that rotation of the spindle causes rotation of the driven plate.

12. The lock as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spindle is attachable to an internal handle such that rotation of the internal handle causes rotation of the spindle.

13. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator is slidable between a first position where the actuator at least partially separates the drive plate from the driven plate to disengage the clutch mechanism, and a second position where the drive plate can engage with the driven plate.

14. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator can move between the second position to the first position by operation of the button. The lock as claimed in claim 14, comprising a spindle which is at least partially positioned within the second component, the spindle being rotatable about its longitudinal axis upon operation of the button, the spindle being operatively associated with the actuator such that operation of the button causes rotation of the spindle and movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position. O 16. The lock as claimed in claim 15, wherein the spindle engages with a secondary adapter, which is positioned at least partially within the first component, r the secondary adapter engaging with the actuator to move the actuator from the second ND position to the first position. OO 17. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising means to return the button to the initial position upon rotation of an internal handle.

18. The lock as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means comprises a cam surface on the driven plate such that rotation of the driven plate causes the actuator to be returned to the second position.

19. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising an emergency override function whereby the actuator can be moved to the clutch engaging position from the outside of the lock. A lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 6 h day of April 2005 Assa Abloy Australia Pty Limited By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.