AU2007201078A1 - Adaptor - Google Patents

Description

14/03/2007 16:00 Chrvslllou Law 61 2 99534755 7/43

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: TNBT HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED Actual Inventor: Matthew vanGasselt Address for Service: Chrysiliou Law Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 15-19 Parraween Street Cremorne Sydney NSW 2090 Invention Title: Adaptor The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: \'server\'idocs\patcnts\appl ications\I 5617.doccl COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 10:00 14/3/0071500Chrvsl Ilou Law 81 2 99534755 8/43 15617.dc 0 ADAPTOR cxl This invention relates to an adaptor for use with a cylinder lock.

Throughout the specification the term "door" is intended to mean any door, gate, fence gate, such as a COLORBOND (trade mark) fence gate, or other closure into 00 5 which it may he desired to install a lock, and in particular a cylinder lock.

o Cylinder locks are a popular means for preventing unauthorised access to a building, room or other area. Conventionally, a lock assembly will be installed close to the edge of a door with the keyway orientated vertically. Conventional cylinder locks have a tail bar (also known as a tail piece) which projects out of the io cylinder lock, as a flat bar. If the correct key is inserted in the keyway of the cylinder lock, the tail bar will be engaged. The tail bar can then be used to operate the latch which projects out perpendicularly from the rest of the lock assembly into a door frame to keep the door shut and to enable the door to be locked or unlocked.

Until recently, when a person is considering installing a cylinder lock in a door, ifi there has been no choice as to how the keyway is orientated; the keyway must be orientated vertically. The reason for the restriction is so that the tail bar can operate the latch, and the latch can extend out perpendicularly from the rest of the lock assembly into the door frame or other means to keep the door in place. It is possible to install the cylinder lock in one of two positions, namely so that the keyway is in the lower half or in the upper half of the cylinder lock. A person may prefer to install the keyway in one of these two positions for ease of operation of a key in the keyway. Nevertheless the keyway is still vertically orientated and the tail bar orientation is unchanged.

In some situations, where it is highly desirable that the keyway be orientated horizontally the only option is to manually twist the tail bar through 90 degrees. If it is possible to twist the tail bar in this way, the strength of the tail bar, and hence COMB ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:00 14/3/0071500ChrVslllou Law 61 2 90534755 9/43 15617.dac 2 o the integrity of the lock assembly, will be greatly undermined. It is likely in such a situation that the viable life of the lock will be considerably shortened.

It is desirable to be able to orientate the keyway other than vertically (the conventional arrangement), while maintaining the strength and integrity of the lock 00 5 assembly. There may be many reasons why it is desired to orientate the keyway other than vertically. For example, it may be desired to avoid items already installed in the door, such as a handle, or other door furniture. In these situations, if a cylinder lock is installed conventionally, with the keyway vertical, it may be very o difficult for the user to operate the lock. The hand of the operator may be at risk of lo contacting existing handles, door bells, or other door furniture in order that the key may be turned in the keyway and the lock operated. Clearly, installation of the keyway vertically, in these situations is undesirable. It may be that it is simply easier to operate the key with the keyway in a horizontal orientation. It may be that it is more aesthetically pleasing to orientate the keyway in an orientation other than the standard, vertical, keyway orientation.

Conventionally doors are hinged at the left or right hand side. Alternatively, doors may be hinged at either the top or the bottom. It may be desired to install a locking assembly in a doo-rhinged at the top or the bottom and to have a lock or closure mechanism installed on the opposite edge to the hinges. It is desirable, in this case, that the keyway be operable in the usual fashion, that is with the keyway orientated vertically for the user. Unfortunately, with these alternatively hinged doors and standard locking assemblies it is not possible for the keyway to be orientated vertically for the user as the latch needs to project perpendicularly from the rest of the lock assembly so as to lock or close the door. Therefore, in this situation the keyway must lie perpendicularly to the projecting latch and so will be horizontal for the user. It would be highly preferable, when installing a lock assembly into a door hinged in an unconventional manner, to he able to orientate the keyway conventionally, that is vertically for the user and parallel with the latch.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:00 14/3/0071600ChrysilIlou Law 51 2 99534755 10/43 I 5617.dc o There are cylinder locks now available that give a choice of orientation of the keyway, either vertically or horizontally. These cylinder locks have two positions in which the tail bar can extend from the extremity of the cylinder lock, so that if the keyway is orientated horizontally or vertically the tail bar can project in a conventional manner in order to operate the latch. The available cylinder locks 00 offer a benefit to a person who is buying the cylinder lock and has already carefully o decided that it is desired to orientate the keyway horizontally, rather than vertically, o before making the purchase. Nevertheless, that person will be limited to choosing o from a small range of available cylinder locks that do have the option of installing io the keyway horizontally or vertically. It may be that the available cylinder locks are more expensive than conventional cylinder locks, or perhaps difficult to source or otherwise undesirable. Therefore, the person may be forced to compromise on the cylinder lock to be installed or how the cylinder lock is to be orientated if the particular requirements of the customer cannot be met. As a result of the compromise, it may be that operation of the key in the keyway is awkward and difficult.

It is possible that a person may not consider the issue of varying the orientation of the keyway until after the cylinder lock has been purchased. In particular, it may only become apparent that it is undesirable or impractical to orientate and install the keyway in the conventional manner when installation has already commenced.

In this case the person has no option but to try to install the cylinder lock in the standard orientation with the keyway vertical, or to make the unnecessary, and significant, expense of buying a completely new cylinder lock. Therefore, it is extremely desirable to be able to adapt existing cylinder locks so that the keyway may be oriented vertically or horizontally while still allowing the latch to operate in the conventional manner.

Further, it may be desired to change the orientation of the keyway of an existing cylinder lock from vertical to horizontal. It is not possible to do so at present COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 15:01 14/3/0071801ChrysilIlou Law Si 2 99534755 11/43 15617.doc 4 o without replacing the entire cylinder lock, and hence incurring the significant expense of purchasing a new lock, and having it installed.

When installing or replacing a cylinder lock in a door, there may be obstacles to a standard installation. For example, handles or other existing door furniture may mean that the latch and the cylinder lock cannot be installed strictly in a straight- 00 line. When installing a cylinder lock into a COLORBOND (trade mark) gate, the structural members of the gate may prove an obstacle to a standard installation. A standard installation is one where the latch, cylinder lock and tail bar are strictly aligned in a straight-line through the door in which they are to be installed (refer lo prior art Figures 16 and 17 below). In this situation the keyway may be vertical or horizontal. When installing a cylinder lock, in a gate for example, there may be a significant distance between the tail bar projecting out of the cylinder lock and the latch to be operated. At present there is a very small margin for error in installation of the cylinder lock and the latch assembly; they must be precisely aligned in order that the latch can be properly operated. Therefore, it is highly desirable to be able to use a means to enable more room for adjustment between the tail bar and the latch and so that any obstacles can be avoided. Since the allowable margin for error of installation of a cylinder lock is greater this enables for easier installation, and reduces the likelihood that the cylinder lock will be installed incorrectly.

2o Further, the greater margin of allowable error improves the likeness that the lock will operate well.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adaptor for a cylinder lock that at least ameliorates one or more of the problems of the aforementioned prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an adaptor for use with a cylinder lock having a tail bar to operate a latch or other closure mechanism, the adaptor including a first opening adapted to receive the tail bar; and COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 1403207 5:1ChrysIIlou Law 51 2 99534755 12/43 15617.doc o a second opening, in communication with the first opening; Ct wherein the first opening is adapted to receive the tail bar in a first orientation and the second opening is adapted to receive and allow through projection of a reorientation means in a different orientation to the first orientation, enabling the latch or other closure mechanism to be installed so as to be operable by the 00 reorientation means, in the different orientation.

o The adaptor may have a body of any suitable shape. Preferably, the adaptor has a o substantially cylindrical body.

N Preferably, the adaptor is made of sintered metal but may be made of any suitably to rigid material including stainless steel, brass or plastic.

The cylinder lock for use with the adaptor of the invention may be a rim cylinder.

Alternatively, the adaptor may be used with any locking mechanism having a projecting part such as ("tail bar") for operation of the latch or other closure mechanism.

is The tail bar of the cylinder lock may be in any suitable form for operating the latch or other closure mechanism. Preferably, the tail bar includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the first end including one or more projections which serve to retain the first end of the tail bar in the cylinder lock. Preferably, the tail bar is made of hardened steel, but may be made of any suitable material including stainless steel, brass or plastic. The tail bar may have an elongate body of any suitable length. The elongate body of the tail bar may be cut or otherwise shortened to the desired length, in situ or as desired.

The latch or other closure mechanism to be operated by the tail bar may be any suitable mechanism for maintaining a door or gate or the like in a closed or open 26 state or locked or unlocked state, normally operable by the tail bar or the like of the cylinder lock, or other lock.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by I13 Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/20718:1 hrysli lou Law 81 2 99534755 13/43 1561 7.doc 6 o Preferably, the first opening includes a slot generally corresponding in shape to the second end of the tail bar. The slot is preferably configured to be larger than the second end of the tail bar. The slot may be substantially rectangular. Preferably, when the second end of the tail bar is rectangular in cross section, the slot is configured to be slightly longer than the long side of the rectangular cross-section 00 and almost twice as wide as the short sides of the rectangular cross-section. The o slot may be any other shape and/or dimensions suitable for receipt of the second o end of the tail bar.

In a preferred form of the invention, the first opening also includes a second slot.

Preferably, the second slot is adapted so that the second end of the reorientation means (see below) can be passed through followed by the first end of the reorientation means. The second slot may be substantially rectangular. The second slot may be configured to substantially correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the first end of the reorientation means. The second slot may be any shape suitable for receipt of the second and first ends of the reorientation means.

Preferably, the first opening is substantially cross-shaped. The first opening may be two intersecting slots, in which case the first opening may be adapted to receive the second end of the reorientation means followed by the first end of the reorientation means therethrough and also to receive the second end of the tail bar, one of the tail bar and the reorientation means being substantially horizontal and the other substantially vertical. The first opening may be any other suitable shape.

The first opening is adapted to receive the tail bar in a first orientation. The first orientation may be any suitable orientation, including horizontal and vertical in use.

The first orientation is preferably substantially vertical. The first orientation may be chosen from a range of suitable orientations, off-set from vertical or horizontal.

The first orientation may be in the range of substantially plus or minus 15 degrees from the vertical or horizontal.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by P1 Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071501ChrysilIlou Law 81 2 99534755 14/43 156 17.dou 7 o Preferably, the second opening generally corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the second end of the reorientation means (see below). The second opening may be almost an exact fit for the second end of the reorientation means. The second opening may be a substantially rectangular slot, or any other suitable shape.

Preferably, the reorientation means has a body suitable to operate a latch or other 00 closure mechanism. The body may be elongate. The reorientation means may take any suitable form or shape.

Preferably, the reorientation means is a second tail bar. The second tail bar may take any suitable form for operating the latch or other closure mechanism.

Preferably, the second tail bar has an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the first end including one or more projections so that in use the second tail bar may be passed through the second opening, and is prevented from totally passing through the opening by the one or more projections.

The second tail bar may have a notch in the first end suitable for receipt of the second end of the first tail bar. Preferably, the second tail bar is made of hardened steel but may be made of any suitable material including stainless steel, brass or plastic. The second tail bar may be the same or different to the first tail bar.

In an alternate form of the invention, the reorientation means may form part of the adaptor. In this alternate form of the invention, the reorientation means may project from the second opening or the second opening may be omitted and the reorientation means may be a projection extending from the adaptor. In the alternate form of the invention the reorientation means may be secured to the adaptor or integral with it. The reorientation means, in this form of the invention, may take any suitable configuration to operate the latch or other closure mechanism.

The different orientation may be any suitable orientation. Preferably, the different orientation is 90 degrees different to the first orientation. Preferably, the first COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071801Chrysal lou Law 81 2 99534755 15/43 1561 7.doc o orientation is vertical and the different orientation is horizontal in use.

Alternatively, the first orientation may be horizontal and the different orientation vertical.

Preferably, the first opening includes a recess. The second end of the reorientation means may pass into and through the recess so as to project through the second 00 opening. The first end of the reorientation means, when the scond end of reorientation means is projecting through the second opening, may lie within the recess. The first end of the reorientation means may be adapted to provide a pivot point for the second end of the tail bar when the second end of the tail bar is passed through the first opening into the adaptor. The pivot point may be a notch. The first opening may include internal shoulders to limit the depth of entry of the reorientation means through the adaptor.

The first opening may include means to guide the second end of the tail bar when received through the first opening. These means may be a taper in the first opening to guide the second end of the tail bar. Preferably, the taper combined with a suitable width of opening may guide the second end of the tail bar so that the tail bar may extend from the first opening in a range of positions. Preferably, there is a ramp at the entrance to the first opening. While the ramp may be present without the taper, it is preferable that both the ramp and the taper are present to guide the second end of the tail bar so that the tail bar may extend from the first opening in a range of positions. The ramp may take any suitable form. Preferably, the ramp has an incline of approximately 15 degrees.

Preferably, the tail bar can extend from the cylinder lock. at an angle and the second end of the tail bar can still be received in the first opening of the adaptor at that angle, without preventing operation of the reorientation means so as to operate the latch.

COMB ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 Chrys lou Law 81 2 99534755 16/43 15617.doc 0 SThe invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adaptor of the present invention, viewed from one end; 00 5 Figure 2 is an end view of the adaptor of Figure 1, from the other end; l^- Figure 3 is a side view of the adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 4 is the view of the adaptor of Figure 1 seen from the first end, with a tail bar projecting through a second opening at the other end; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the adaptor and tail bar of Figure 4, seen from the io other end; Figure 6 is a side view of the adaptor and tail bar of Figure Figure 7 is an end view of the adaptor of Figure 1, from the first end; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 7, through line A-A of Figure 7; is Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 7, through line B-B of Figure 7; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the adaptor of Figure 1, together with the tail bar and a reorientation means being a second tail bar; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the adaptor, tail bar and second tail bar of Figure 10, as assembled; Figure 12 is a side view of the adaptor of Figure 11, illustrating some of the range of positions of the second tail bar, when in position; COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071801ChrysilIlou Law 81 2 99534755 17/43 1 5617.doc o Figure 13 is an end view of the adaptor and tail bar of Figure 4 from the first end; Ct Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 13 through line C-C of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 13 through line D-D of 0c' 5 Figure 13; iwo ovnioa yidrlc n ac seby Figure 16 Is a plant evi of conventional cylinder lock and latch assembly of Figure 16, illustrating the limited orientation options for the keyway; Figure 18 is a plan view of a conventional cylinder lock and latch assembly of Figure 16, together with the adaptor and tal bars of Figure 10; and Figure 19 is a front elevation of the conventional cylinder lock and latch assembly together with the adaptor and tail bars of Figure 18, illustrating the increased orientation options for the keyway.

Referring to Figures I to 3, adaptor 10 has body 12, first end 14 and second end 16.

Body 12 is shown in the illustrated embodiment as a cylinder which is a particularly suitable shape. Any other shape of body 12 may be used, for example a cube. Adaptor 10 is preferably made of sintered metal but may be made of any suitable material such as stainless steel, brass or plastic.

First end 14 of adaptor 10 contains first opening 18, as can be seen in particular in 2o Figure 1. First opening 18 is illustrated as a cross-shape including two intersecting slots 17 and 19 but any suitable shape may be used. Intersecting slots 17 and 19 may be of the same size or of different sizes.

Second end 16 of adaptor 10 contains second opening 20, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2. Second opening 20 is illustrated as a rectangular slot but COMB ID No: SBMI-0661E048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071801ChrysilIlou Law 81 2 99534755 18/43 15617.doc o may be of any suitable shape. First opening 18 including recess 22 (refer also Figures 8, 9, 14 and 15 in this regard).

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, tail bar 24 (refer also to Figure 10) may be passed through slot 19 of first opening 18 into recess 221to project out of second opening 20. Tail bar 24 as described is a tail bar or tail piece of a known type. Tail bar 24 00 may take any suitable form that can operate a latch or other closure mcchanism to open or close or lock or unlock. Tail bar 24 may be made of hardened steel or other suitable material such as stainless steel, brass or plastic.

o Slot 19 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to have the dimensions just larger than suitable to receive therethrough the widest part of tail bar 24. As illustrated, the horizontal intersecting slot 17 is shorter in length than vertical slot 19. Slot 17 is almost twice as wide as slot 19. Any suitable configurations of slot 17 and slot 19 may be used.

In an alternate form of the invention the tail bar 24 may formn part of the adaptor 10, or be secured or otherwise attached to adaptor Tail bar 24 can be seen projecting in a vertical orientation through second opening but may alternatively project in a horizontal orientation. Throughout Figures 1 to 15, adaptor 10 is shown with tail bar 24 projecting in a vertical orientation through the second opening 20 for ease of illustration. Clearly, and as can be seen in Figure 18, tail bar 24 may readily in use leave opening 20 horizontally. The particular orientation of tail bar 24 will depend on the circumstances in which adaptor 10 is being used, Referring to Figures 7 to 9, first end 14 is shown with section lines A-A and B-B.

Figure 8 illustrates the cross-sectional view through line A-A of Figure 7, showing the configuration of recess 22 of first opening 18. Tapered part 26 can be seen in particular in Figure 8, tapering away from slot 17 (refer Figure 9) of first opening 18. The extent of tapering of tapered part 26 may vary from that illustrated. Ramp COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: lime 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071601ChrysilIlou Law 51 2 99534755 19/43 156 17.doc 12 o28 lies at the entrance of tapered part 26. The incline of ramp 28 may be any suitable degree.

Referring to Figure 8, in particular, internal shoulders 29 can be seen which limit the depth of entry of tail bar 24 through adaptor 10 (see below).

00 5 Seating points 30 can be seen also in particular in Figure 8 and these are described o further below.

Referring to Figures 10 to 15, adaptor 10 is illustrated in use with tail bar 24 and o second tail bar 32. As illustrated, two tail bars of a known type arc used. Any N suitable means may be used instead of the illustrated tail bars. The tail bars or io similar may be the same as or different to one another. Tail bar 24 has a first end 34 and a second end 36 with an elongate body 38 between first end 34 and second end 36. First end 34 has a pair of projections 40 with notch 42 between them.

Projections 40 and notch 42 may take any suitable form.

Second tail bar 32 as illustrated is similar to tail bar 24 having first end 44, second end 46, elongate body 48 between first end 44 and second end 46, and projections lying on either side of notch 52. Projections 50 of second tail bar 32 may serve to retain first end 44 in a cylinder lock 56 (refer Figures 16 to 19) in a known manner. Tail bar 24 is illustrated as shorter than second tail bar 32. As is common in the art, tail bars are generally available in a length longer than required so as to 2o be cut, in situ or as desired, to size during installation. The length of tail bars 24 and 32 may be any suitable length and may be the same or different lengths. It is not essential that second tail bar 32 is longer than tail bar 24.

Ramp 28 (refer Figure 8) and tapered part 26 (refer Figure 8) act to guide second end 46 (refer Figure 10) of second tail bar 32 so that first end 44 extends in a range of positions as can be seen in Figure 12. The range of positions as illustrated is degrees either side of the horizontal. The range may be any suitable range either side of the horizontal, vertical or other orientation. Tapered part 26 may be COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:01 14/3/0071801Chrysi Ilou Law 81 2 99534755 20/43 1561 7.dc 13 o configured in any suitable manner to guide second end 46 of second tail bar 32 so that first end 44 can extend as required for installation (refer also Figures 18 and 19). Ramp 28 (refer Figure 8) may take any suitable form or may be omitted.

In use, second end 36 of tail bar 24 is received through slot 19 of first opening 18 and into recess 22 of first opening 18. Second end 36 is passed into recess 22 of 00 first opening 18 until second end 36 of tail bar 24 projects through second opening (refer Figure 5) and projections 40 of first end 34 of tail bar 24 are seated in N seating points 30 (refer Figure 15). Projections 40 of first end 34 of tail bar 24 prevent tail bar 24 from entirely passing through second opening 20. Second end lo 46 of second tail bar 32 is received through slot 17 of first opening 18 into recess 22, in a different orientation than tail bar 24. Internal shoulders 29 limit the depth of entry of tail bar 24 through adaptor 10. Second end 46 of second tail bar 32 preferably lies in notch 42 of first end 34 of tail bar 24. Second tail bar 32, would, in use, extend from a cylinder lock so as to be engaged and operable on use of the correct key in the cylinder lock, see also below. As can be seen in particular in Figures 10 and 11, tail bar 24 is received in slot 19 of first opening 18 and second tail bar 32 is subsequently received through slot 17 of first opening 18, orientated degrees differently. The orientation of tail bars 24 and 32 may be horizontal or vertical or the orientation may be reversed or may be any suitable orientation.

Referring to Figures 11, 12 and 15 in particular, second tail bar 32 can pivot in notch 42 of tail bar 24 so that second end 46 of second tail bar 32 enter and extend from first opening 18 in a range of positions. Figure 12 illustrates how second tail bar 32 can enter and extend out of slot 17 of first opening 18 in more than one position. Figure 12 shows one position of first end 44 of second tail bar 32 in bold lines and another position in doffed lines where second end 46 of second tail bar 32 has been pivoted in notch 42 of tail bar 24. Second tail bar 32 can be positioned anywhere between the bold line position and the doffed line position in the illustrated embodiment. Any suitable range of positions may be used.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:02 1403207 8:2Chrysillou Law 81 2 99534755 21/43 14 o Referring to Figures 16 and 17, a prior art arrangement of a typical latch assembly 54, cylinder lock 56 and door 58 is shown. Preferably, cylinder lock 56 is a rim cylinder but may be any suitable cylinder lock or other lock assembly. Latch assembly 54 may be any suitable latch assembly, having a projecting latch into a door frame to maintain the door between an open and closed and/or locked and 00 unlocked state. Key 60 in keyway 62 can be seen to be orientated conventionally o vertically in order that latch 54 be operable by tail bar 64.

cxl Figure 17 shows in dotted lines the two possible positions for the conventional cylinder lock in door 58. As can be seen, there are two options for keyway 62 to be to onientated vertically, in a conventional manner with keyway 62 in the lower half of cylinder lock 56 or, if the cylinder lock 56 is inverted, in the upper half of the cylinder lock 56. Clearly, the orientation options of prior art lock assembles are very limited.

Figures 18 and 19 show the same prior art cylinder lock 56 and latch assembly 54 installed in door 58 but with use of adaptor 10 and tail bars 24 and 32 according to the present invention. Cylinder lock 56 has been orientated so that the keyway is horizontal, in contrast to the conventional, vertical arrangement, as can be seen with reference to the view of key 60. Tail bar 32 can be seen projecting from cylinder lock 56 substantially verticay in order that keyway 60 can lie horizontally. In order that latch assembly 54 can still be operated in the usual fashion, adaptor 10 is used to reorientate tail bar 24 so as to project from adaptor horizontally for conventional use.

Tail bar 32 as illustrated extends from cylinder lock 56 at an angle and second end 46 (refer Figure 10) of second tail bar 32 is received in first opening 18 (refer Figure 10) of adaptor 10 at that angle so that .tail bar 24 may be engaged so as to operate latch assembly 54. In this way obstacles, such as structural elements in door 58 or existing door furniture, such as a handle or other obstruction, may be avoided. Clearly the invention may also be readily used with tail bar 32 projecting COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:02 14/3/0071002ChrysilIlou Law 81 2 99534755 22/43 15627.doc Oin a straight-line. Also, installation is still possible if latch assembly 54 and cylinder lock 56 are inadvertently misaligned when installed. Tail bar 32 in the illustrated embodiment may be positioned in any position within substantially degrees on either side of the vertical or horizontal, depending on the orientation of adaptor 10. Variations to the invention could mean a different range of positions 00 could be available.

Although the arrangement is described mostly for use to alter the orientation of N second tail bar 3 2 from vertical to substanti ally horizontal, adaptor 10 may also b e used to alter the orientation from horizontal to substantially vertical, or in any other io suitable orientation.

Figure 19 shows, in dotted lines, the range of orientations that keyway 62 can be positioned in by using adaptor 10, including the two inverted positions. The range of positions is clearly far greater than the present arrangement as illustrated in Figure 17.

Although the embodiment is described with reference to a cylinder lock and latch assembly it is envisaged that the invention may be used with any locking or closure assembly where there is an projecting part, operable between an open and closed position, and or locked or unlocked position.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 16:13 Date 2007-03-14

Claims (4)

15617.dc 16 o The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. An adaptor for use with a cylinder lock having a tail bar to operate a latch or other closure mechanism, the adaptor including a first opening adapted to receive the tail bar; and 00 a second opening, in communication with the first opening; o Wherein the first opening is adapted to receive the tail bar in a first orientation and the second opening is adapted to receive and allow through 0 projection of a reorientation means in a different orientation to the first orientation, enabling the latch or other closure mechanism to be installed so as to be operable by the reorientation means, in the different orientation.

2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is substantially cylindrical.

3. The adaptor according to claim I or 2, wherein the adaptor is made of a rigid material including sintered metal, stainless steel, brass or plastic.

4. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein thc cylinder lock is a rim cylinder. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I to 4, wherein the tail bar includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the first end including one or more projections which serve to retain the first end of the tail bar in the cylinder lock. 6. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I to 5, wherein the tail bar is made of hardened steel, stainless steel, brass or plastic. 7. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I to 6, wherein the latch or other closure mechanism includes a locking mechanism. COMB ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:02 14/3/0071802ChrysilIlou Law 51 2 99534755 24/43 15617.doc 17 o8. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first opening includes a slot generally corresponding in shape to the second end of the tail bar. 9. The adaptor according to claim 8, wherein the slot is configured to be larger S than the second end of the tail bar. 00 The adaptor according to anyone of claims 8 or 9, wherein the second end of o the tail bar is rectangular in cross-section and the slot is configured to be o slightly longer than the long side of the rectangular cross-section and almost 0 twice as wide as the short side of the rectangular cross-section. 11. The adaptor, according to any one of claims 8 to 10, whercin the first opening also includes a second slot. 12. The adaptor according to claim 11, wherein the reorientation means includes a first end and a second end and the second slot is adapted so that the second end of the reorientation means can pass through the second slot, followed by the first end of the reorientation means. 13. The adaptor according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the second slot is substantially rectangular. 14. The adaptor according to claim 13, wherein the second slot is configured to substantially correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the first end of the reorientation means. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I I to 14, wherein the first opening is two intersecting slots adapted to receive the second end of the reorientation means followed by the first end of the reorientation means therethrough and also receive the second end of the tail bar, one of the tail bar and the reorientation means being horizontal and the other vertical. COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 18:02 14/3/20718:2 hrysiliou Law 51 2 99534755 25/43 156 17.doc 18 o16. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first orientation is substantially vertical, or substantially horizontal. 17. The adaptor according to any one of claims I to 16, wherein the first orientation is chosen from a range of orientations, off-set from vertical or horizontal. 00 o18. The adaptor according to claim 17 wherein the first orientation is in the 0 range of substantially plus or minus 15 degrees from the vertical or horizontal. N 19. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 12 to 18, wherein the second opening generally corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the second end of the reorientation means. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the second opening is a substantially rectangular slot. 21. The adaptor according to any one of claims I to 20, wherein the reorientation means forms part of the adaptor. 22. The adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the second opening is omitted and the reorientation means is a projection extending from the adaptor. 23. The adaptor of claim 21 or 22 wherein the reorientation means is secured to the adaptor or is integral with it. 24. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 23, wherein the reorientation means is a second tail bar. The adaptor according to claim 24, wherein the second tail bar has an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the first end including one or more projections so that in use the second end of the second tail bar COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 18:02 ChryslIliou Law 81 2 99534755 28/43 156 17.doc 19 o is passed through the second opening, and the second tail bar is prevented Sfrom totally passing through the opening by the one or more projections on Sthe first end of the second tail bar. 26. The adaptor according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the second tail bar has a notch in the first end for receipt of the second end of the first tail bar. 00oO S27. The adaptor according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the second tail O bar is made of hardened steel, stainless steel, brass or plastic. 28. The adaptor according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the second tail Nbar is the same as the first tail bar. 29. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 28 wherein the different orientation is 90 degrees different to the first orientation. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I to 29, wherein the first orientation is vertical and the different orientation is horizontal. 31. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 30, wherein the first opening includes a recess. 32. The adaptor according to claim 31, wherein the second end of the reorientation means can pass into and through the recess so as to project through the second opening. 33. The adaptor according to claim 12 or 32, wherein the first end of the reorientation means, when the second end of reorientation means is projecting through the second opening is adapted to provide a pivot point for the second end of the tail bar when the second end of the tail bar is passed through the first opening into the adaptor. 34. The adaptor according to claim 33, wherein the pivot point is a notch. COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14 14/03/2007 16:02 14/3/0071502ChrysiIliou Law 81 2 99534755 27/43 15617.dou The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 34, wherein the first opening includes internal shoulders to limit the depth of entry of the reorientation means through the adaptor. 36. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 5 to 35, wherein the first opening includes means to guide the second end of the tail bar when receivcd 00 through the first opening. o37. The adaptor according to claim 36, wherein these means are a taper in the first opening to guide the second end of the tail bar. N 38. The adaptor according to claim 37, wherein the taper combined with the width of the first opening guides the second end of the tail bar so that the tail bar extends from the first opening in a range of positions. 39. The adaptor according to anyone of claims 1 to 38, wherein there is a ramp at the entrance to the first opening. The adaptor according to claim 39, wherein both the ramp and the taper are present to guide the second end of the tail bar so that the tail bar extends from the first opening in a range of positions. 41. The adaptor according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the ramp has an incline of approximately 15 degrees- 42. The adaptor according to anyone of claims I to 41, wherein the tail bar extends from the cylinder lock at an angle and the second end of the tail bar can still be received in the first opening of the adaptor at that angle, without preventing operation of the reorientation means so as to operate the latch. 43. An adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures I to 15, or 18 or 19 of the accompanying representations. COMS ID No: SBMI-06618048 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:13 Date 2007-03-14