AU2008221625A1 - A lock assembly and a method of operating same - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 878646 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited, of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 004 792 269, of 190 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn, Victoria, 3130, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Harry Lambrou Stuart Clark Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A lock assembly and a method of operating same Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: (31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2007906153 08 Nov 2007 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(1417391_1) A Lock Assembly and a Method of Operating Same Technical Field The present invention relates to a lock assembly and a method of operating same. 5 Background of the Invention Locks that are able to function in multiple modes are known. One example of such a multiple mode lock is that marketed under the trade mark TRILOCK by the present applicant, which can function in: passage; deadbolt; or privacy modes. 1o In passage mode, the turning of either of the door handles withdraws the lock bolt to enable the door to be opened. In deadbolt mode, the key is used to throw the bolt to an extended position in order to securely lock the door and make forced entry more difficult. Privacy mode is activated by a button or snib on the inner side of the door, which is prevents retraction of the bolt, when in passage mode, by the outer door handle only. Turning the inner door handle disables the privacy function, permitting the door to be opened. Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an improved lock and, in a preferred form, 20 provide a lock assembly which can be easily adapted for electronic control with minimal power draw. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly, the lock 25 assembly comprising: a key barrel adapted to pivot a cam associated therewith in response to pivoting of a key in the key barrel; a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in response to pivoting of the cam; 30 a bolt connected to the bolt arm front end; and a blocking member having an engaging part, wherein the blocking member is movable between an engaging position, in which the engaging part is adapted to engage the bolt arm rear end and thereby prevent movement of the 2 bolt arm during attempted movement towards the retracted position, and a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part towards the retracted position. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly settable in latch or deadbolt mode with a key, the lock assembly comprising: 5 a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in response to said key actuation; and a blocking member having an engaging part, the member being adapted for movement between between an engaging position, in which the engaging part is able to engage the bolt arm rear end and prevent attempted movement of the bolt arm to the retracted position, and a io disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part towards the retracted position, wherein the movement of the blocking member to the engaging and disengaging positions allow the lock assembly to be locked and unlocked respectively, independently of the key. 15 In one form, the blocking member is preferably pivotable or rotatable between the engaging position and the disengaging position, most preferably about an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the key barrel. In another form, the blocking member is preferably movable along a substantially straight path between the engaging position and the disengaging position. The lock assembly preferably includes an electrically powered driver adapted to move 20 the blocking member between the engaging position and the disengaging position. The electrically powered driver is preferably remotely controlled. The blocking member is preferably movable from the engaging position to the disengaging position by the bolt arm in response to movement of the cam by the key. The blocking member is preferably movable from the disengaging position to the engaging position 25 by the cam in response to movement of the cam by the key. The bolt arm rear end preferably includes a notch adapted to wedgingly engage the blocking member engaging part in the engaging position, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the retracted position causes the distal end to move into further abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end notch. The bolt arm rear end notch preferably includes a 30 first surface, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the retracted position when the member is in the engaging position causes the engaging part to slide along the first surface into further abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end notch. The bolt arm rear end preferably includes a second surface, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the retracted position when the blocking member is in the 3 disengaging position causes the engaging part end to slide along the second surface away from abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end. In one form, the blocking member preferably includes at least one shaft part adapted for pivotal movement about an axis. The engaging part of the blocking member is preferably 5 eccentric to the axis. The blocking member preferably includes two said shaft portions, spaced apart by the engaging part of the member. The engaging part is preferably positioned on the end of a U shaped part, between the two shaft portions. The bolt arm rear end is preferably positioned between the two shaft portions when in the retracted position. In another form, the blocking member preferably includes at least one carrier part 10 adapted for pivotal movement along the straight path. The blocking member preferably includes two said carrier parts spaced apart and bridged by the engaging part of the member. The bolt arm rear end is preferably positioned between the two carrier parts when in the retracted position. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a lock assembly, is the lock assembly comprising: a key barrel adapted to pivot a cam associated therewith in response to pivoting of a key in the key barrel; a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in response to pivoting of the cam; 20 a bolt connected to the bolt arm front end; and a blocking member having an engaging part, the method comprising: moving the blocking member to an engaging position, in which the engaging part is able to engage the bolt arm rear end to prevent attempted movement of the bolt arm to the retracted 25 position; and moving the blocking member to a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part to the retracted position. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a multi mode lock assembly, the lock assembly comprising: 30 a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted opening position and an extended latching position; a blocking member, the method comprising: setting the lock assembly in passage or deadbolt mode with a key; 4 moving the blocking member to an engaging position, in which it can engage the bolt arm rear end to prevent movement of the bolt arm to the retracted position, to lock the lock assembly; and moving the blocking member to a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end 5 can travel past the bolt arm rear end towards a retracted position, to unlock the lock assembly; and moving the member between the engaging and disengaging positions independently of the key. In one form, the method preferably includes pivoting the blocking member to the io engaging position or the disengaging position. In another form, the method preferably includes driving the blocking member along a straight path to the engaging position or the disengaging position. The method preferably includes moving the blocking member with an electrically powered driver, such as a solenoid. The method preferably includes moving the blocking member with a manual driver. is The method preferably includes moving the blocking member from the engaging position to the disengaging position by movement of the bolt arm in response to movement of the cam by the key. The method preferably includes moving the blocking member from the disengaging position to the engaging position by movement of the cam in response to movement of the key. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a side view of a first embodiment of a lock assembly; 25 Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed side view of the lock body of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in deadbolt mode; Fig. 3B is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 3A; Fig. 3C is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 3B along line A-A; 30 Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode; Fig. 4B is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 4A Fig. 4C is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 4B along line B-B; Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode with the wedge member in the engaging position; 5 Fig. 5B is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 5A Fig. 5C is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 5B along line C-C; Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode with the wedge member in the engaging position during an attempted unauthorised opening; 5 Fig. 6B is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 6A Fig. 6C is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 6B along line D-D; Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode with the wedge member in the engaging position during key override unlocking; Fig. 7B is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 7A; 10 Fig. 7C is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 7A Fig. 7D is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 7C along line E-E; Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode with the wedge member in the disengaging position during key override unlatching; Fig. 8B is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 8A; 15 Fig. 8C is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 8A Fig. 8D is a cutaway side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 7C along line F-F; Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2, in passage mode with the wedge member in the disengaging position at the beginning of key override locking; Fig. 9B is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 9A; 20 Fig. 9C is an end view of the lock body shown in Fig. 2 at the end of key override locking; and Fig. 9D is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 9C; and Fig. IOA is a side view of a lock body of a second embodiment of a lock assembly; Fig. 1OB is a rear perspective view of the lock body shown in Fig. IOA; 25 Fig. 1 A is a front view of a blocking member used in the lock body shown in Fig. IOA; Fig. 11 B is a cross sectional side view of the blocking member shown in Fig. 1 lA, along line A-A; Fig. 1 IC is a front perspective view of the blocking member shown in Fig. I IA; Fig. II D is a rear perspective view of the blocking member shown in Fig. II A; 30 Fig. 12 is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. IOA, in passage mode with the blocking member in the engaging position; Fig. 13 is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 1OA, in passage mode with the blocking member in the engaging position during an attempted unauthorised opening; 6 Fig. 14B is a cross sectional side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 1OA, in passage mode with the blocking member in the engaging position during an attempted unauthorised opening; Figs. 15A to 15D are sequential side views of the lock assembly shown in Fig. I0A, in 5 deadbolt mode during key override unlatching; Fig. 16A is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 1 OA, in passage mode with the blocking member in the disengaging position at the beginning of key override locking; and Fig. 16B is a side view of the lock body shown in Fig. 16A at the end of key override locking. 10 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figs. 1 to 9D show a first embodiment of a multi-mode lock assembly 10. The lock assembly 10 includes a housing 12 for mounting on the inner side of a door. The lock 10 also includes a similar housing (not shown) for mounting on the outer side of the door. is The lock assembly 10 includes a handle 14 mounted to a hub 16. A spring 17 biases the handle 14 and the hub 16 to return to the position shown in Fig. 1. The hub 16 includes gears 18 on a portion of its periphery. The gears 18 engage with gears 20 that are associated with a drive shaft 22. The drive shaft 22 has an eccentric part 22a. The lock assembly 10 also includes a privacy or snib arrangement 24. 20 The lock assembly 10 also includes a faceplate 26 connected to a passage 28 through which travels a bolt 30. The passage 28 is connected to a lock body 32, within which the drive shaft 22 is rotationally or pivotally mounted. The lock assembly 10 also includes a bolt arm 34 which has a front end 34a, an angled edge 34b and a rear end 38. The front end 34a is pivotally connected to the bolt 30 at a shaft 36 25 (see Fig. 3C). The rear end 38 includes an end notch 38a with an inwardly angled surface 38b. The rear end 38 also includes an outwardly angled surface 38c beneath the notch 38a. The rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 also includes a side protuberance 40, which has a nose 40a and a cam recess 40b. A lock cylinder 42 is mounted within the body 32 and includes a key barrel 44 to which 30 is mounted a cam 46 for common movement with the barrel 44, in response to a correct key. The lock assembly 10 also includes a blocking member 48 which has an engaging part 50 on its distal end. The blocking member 48 is rotationally or pivotally mounted to the lock body 32. The blocking member 48 is comprised of two axially spaced apart shaft portions 48a which are separated by a gap 48b. The distal end 50 of the blocking member forms part of a U- 7 shaped bridge between the two shaft portions 48a. The shaft portions 48a rotate about their common longitudinal axis and the distal end 50 rotates eccentrically relative to the rotation of the shaft parts 48a. As is well understood by persons skilled in the art, the lock assembly 10 also includes a 5 similar lock housing (not shown) mounted to the outer side of the door with a similar hub and handle. The operation of first embodiment of the lock assembly 10 shall now be described. When in passage mode, turning the handle 14 rotates the hub 16. The intermeshed gears 18 and 20 then cause corresponding turning of the drive shaft 22. The turning of the drive shaft 22 1o moves the eccentric part 22a into abutment with the edge 34b of the bolt arm 34. Further turning of the handle 14 causes the part 22a to move the bolt arm 34 to a retracted position, in which the bolt 30 is retracted into the passage 28 so that the door in which the lock assembly 10 is mounted can be opened. When the handle 14 is released, the lock assembly 10 returns to the position shown in Fig. 1, under the influence of the spring 17 associated with the hub 16 and a spring (not is shown) associated with the bolt 30. This passage operation is substantially in accordance with the applicant's existing TRILOCK lock. The privacy mechanism 24, when actuated, prevents rotation of the hub 16 and therefore prevents retraction of the bolt 30 in the manner previously described by the outer door handle. However, turning of the inner handle 14 deactivates the snib mechanism 24 and thus 20 permits the bolt retraction previously described. This privacy operation is also substantially in accordance with the operation of the applicant's existing TRILOCK lock. Inserting and turning of the correct key in the barrel 44 causes corresponding rotation of the cam 46. If the key is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2, it acts upon the nose 40a of the protuberance 40 and retracts the bolt arm 34 and the bolt 30 to 25 allow opening of the door. If the cam 46 is rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2, it will eventually engage in the recess 40b on the underside of the protuberance 40 and, upon continued rotation in a clockwise direction, drive the bolt arm 34, and thus the bolt 30, towards the faceplate 26 and into the deadlocked position shown in Figs. 3A to 3C. When the bolt 30 is in the deadlocked position, rotation of the cam 46 in a counter-clockwise direction 30 acts in substantially the opposite manner to retract the bolt 30. This deadlock operation is also substantially in accordance with the operation of the applicant's existing TRILOCK lock. Figs. 3A to 3C show the blocking member 48 in a position which is hereafter referred to as a disengaging position. In the disengaging position, the blocking member 48 does not 8 interfere with the movement of the bolt arm 34, and thus the bolt 30, in relation to the above described handle and key driven operations of the lock assembly 10. Figs. 4A to 4C show the bolt arm 34 and the bolt 30 in a passage position and the blocking member 48 in the disengaging position. 5 Figs. 5A to 5C show the bolt arm 34 and bolt 30 in a passage position and the blocking member 48 pivoted or rotated to a position which is hereafter referred to as an engaging position. As shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, if the bolt 30 and the bolt arm 34 are attempted to be retracted and forced towards the lock body 32 (for example during an attempted credit card jimmy or by pivoting the handle 14 and thus pivoting the drive shaft 22), then the rear end 38 of the bolt arm io 34 is forced to abut and engage the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48. This prevents full retraction of the bolt 30 and thus prevents unauthorised opening of the door. More particularly, the angled surface 50a on the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48 wedgingly engages with the angled surface 38b in the recess 38a, which causes the blocking member 48 to be driven further into engagement with the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34. This 15 engagement increases as more force is applied in attempting to retract the bolt 30 and/or the bolt arm 34. Placing the blocking member 48 in the engaging position therefore locks the door in which the lock assembly 10 is mounted. Importantly, the blocking member 48 enables locking of the door without requiring the use of the key and in response to only a small pivotal 20 movement of the blocking member 48 itself. Placing the blocking member 48 in the disengaging position unlocks the door, returning the lock assembly 10 to passage mode. Similarly, the blocking member 48 enables unlocking without requiring the use of the key and in response to only a small pivotal movement of the blocking member 48 itself. The lock assembly 10 can thus, advantageously, be locked and unlocked by an 25 electrically powered driver/actuator (e.g. an electric motor or solenoid and lever combination) and/or remote control. Numerous inexpensive and compact actuators are readily available that can provide the required rotational movement of the blocking member 48. This provides the lock user with the convenience of key operation or electric (remote control) operation, at minimal additional expense or lock complexity. An additional advantage is that the installation 30 and operation of the lock assembly 10 is familiar to installers and users of the TRILOCK lock. The lock assembly 10 also provides a remote/electrically controllable lock with many common components to the TRILOCK lock, which reduces inventory. The locking of the lock assembly 10 with the blocking member 48 can, advantageously, also be overridden by key operation. More particularly, counter clockwise rotation of the correct 9 key in the lock cylinder 42 causes corresponding counter clockwise rotation of the cam 46. As the cam 46 abuts the nose 40a of the protuberance 40 on the bolt arm 34 it is driven outwardly away from the lock cylinder 42. As best shown in Fig 7B and 7D, this causes the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 to initially undergo a predominantly upward (relative to the Figs.) movement in 5 which is it lifted away and over the engaging part 50 of the wedge member 48. Further rotation of the key and the cam 46 drives the bolt arm 34 away from the faceplate 26 and also back towards the key cylinder 42. As best shown in Figs. 8B and 8D, during this movement, the bottom face of the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 pushes down on the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48 to drive it back to the disengaging position. Still further rotation of the key 1o and the cam 46 continues to drives the bolt arm 34 away from the faceplate 26 until the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 passes into the gap 48b between the shaft portions 48a of the locking member 48. This key unlocking operation ensures that lock users are not inconvenienced or placed at risk by loss of power to, or other malfunction of, the remote control or actuator/driver. Is The blocking member 48 can, advantageously, also be placed in the engaging position, to thus lock the door, by key operation. More particularly, clockwise rotation of the correct key in the lock cylinder 42 causes corresponding clockwise rotation of the cam 46. Fig. 9B shows the cam 46 abutting the distal end 50 of the blocking member 48 after such clockwise rotation. Further clockwise rotation of the cam 46 moves the blocking member 48 to the engaging 20 position, as shown in Fig 9D, locking the door as previously described in relation to Figs. 5A to 6C. This key locking operation ensures that lock users are able to use all functions and modes of the lock assembly 10 regardless of any loss of power to, or other malfunction of, the remote control or actuator/driver. 25 Figs. IOA to 16B show a lock body 32' for a second embodiment of a multi-mode lock assembly. Like features to those described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figs. I to 9D are indicated with like reference numerals. The lock body 32' can be assembled with the other components of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 such as the housing 12, handle 14, hub 16, spring 17 and gears 18 and 20. The second embodiment of the lock assembly functions in a 30 similar manner to that described with reference to the first embodiment, except the blocking member 48 travels along a straight path denoted by axis X-X between the disengaging position (as shown in Fig. IOA) and the engaging position (as shown in Fig. 12A), whereas the blocking member 48 in the first embodiment rotates or pivots between these two positions.

10 Figs. I IA to 1 ID show the blocking member 48 in more detail. The blocking member 48 includes a base 48a from which extends a pair of spaced apart carrier parts 48b which are bridged by the engaging part 50. The base 48a of the blocking member is connected to an electronically powered solenoid 60 which is used to drive the blocking member between the 5 disengaging and engaging positions. The operation of the second embodiment of the lock assembly shall now be described. Fig. IOA shows the lock assembly in passage mode and the blocking member 48 placed in the disengaging position by retraction of the solenoid 60. During retraction of the bolt 30, either by turning of the door handle 14, or by closing of the door, the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 10 34 moves towards the blocking member 48 and ultimately passes between the two carrier parts 48a without obstruction, as the engaging part 50 is below the bolt arm rear end 38. Fig. 12A shows the second embodiment of the lock assembly with the blocking member 48 is placed in the engaging position by extension of the solenoid 60, which locks the door. In this position, attempted retraction of the bolt 30 and thus the bolt arm 34 causes the rear end 38 is of the bolt arm 34 to abut and engage with the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48. More particularly, the notch 38a in the bolt arm rear end 38 wedgingly engages with the engaging part 50. This engagement is shown in Figs. 13A and 14A. Fig. 13A shows the lock assembly during attempted unauthorised opening by turning of the handle 14. Fig. 14A shows the lock assembly during attempted unauthorised opening by credit card jimmy or the like. In 20 both cases, retraction of the bolt arm 34, and thus the bolt 30, is prevented by the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 abutting with the blocking member 48. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the lock assembly can thus, advantageously, be locked and unlocked by an electrically powered driver/actuator (e.g. an electric motor or solenoid and lever combination) and/or remote control. 25 Figs. 15A to 15D sequentially show key override unlocking and unlatching of the second embodiment of the lock assembly. 15A shows the lock assembly in a locked configuration due to the positioning of the blocking member 48 in the engaging position. Fig. ISA also shows a cam 62 associated with the key barrel 44 raising the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34. Fig. 15B shows the result of further rotation of the key barrel 44 in which the cam 46 abuts 30 the nose 40a of the side protuberance 40 and forces the raised bolt arm 34 further rearwardly. It is important to note that the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 has been lifted above the level of the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48. Fig. 15C shows further rotation of the cam 46 driving the rear end 38 of the bolt arm 34 between the two carrier parts 48b, again above the engaging part 50 of the blocking member 48. Fig. 15D shows the continued rotation of the cam 11 46 and the full retraction of the bolt arm 34, and thus the bolt 30, which allows the door to be opened. As with the first embodiment, this key unlocking operation ensures that lock users are not inconvenienced or placed at risk by loss of power to, or other malfunction of, the remote 5 control or actuator/driver. Figs. 16A and 16B show the second embodiment of the bolt assembly during key override locking. More particularly, Fig. 16A shows the blocking member 48 in the disengaging position after rotation of the key has brought the cam 46 into abutment with the underside of the engaging part 50. Fig. 16B shows the further rotation of the key and thus the cam 46 lifting the 10 blocking member 48 to the engaging position, thereby manually locking the door. As with the first embodiment, this key locking operation ensures that lock users are able to use all functions and modes of the lock assembly 10 regardless of any loss of power to, or other malfunction of, the remote control or actuator/driver. Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the blocking member can alternatively be driven (including manually driven) between the engaging and disengaging positions by: a switch; a lever; an auxilliary bolt; or an inside button (akin to a privacy snib button).

Claims (31)

1. A lock assembly, the lock assembly comprising: a key barrel adapted to pivot a cam associated therewith in response to pivoting of a key s in the key barrel; a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in response to pivoting of the cam; a bolt connected to the bolt arm front end; and a blocking member having an engaging part, 10 wherein the blocking member is movable between an engaging position, in which the engaging part is adapted to engage the bolt arm rear end and thereby prevent movement of the bolt arm during attempted movement towards the retracted position, and a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part towards the retracted position.

2. A lock assembly settable in latch or deadbolt mode with a key, the lock 15 assembly comprising: a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in response to said key actuation; and a blocking member having an engaging part, the blocking member being adapted for movement between between an engaging position, in which the engaging part is able to engage 20 the bolt arm rear end and prevent attempted movement of the bolt arm to the retracted position, and a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part towards the retracted position, wherein the movement of the blocking member to the engaging and disengaging positions allow the lock assembly to be locked and unlocked respectively, independently of the 25 key.

3. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking member is pivotable or rotatable between the engaging position and the disengaging position.

4. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the blocking member is pivotable or rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the key barrel. 30

5. The lock assembly as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the blocking member is movable along a substantially straight path between the engaging position and the disengaging position. 13

6. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock assembly includes an electrically powered driver adapted to move the blocking member between the engaging position and the disengaging position.

7. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electrically powered s driver is remotely controlled.

8. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking member is movable from the engaging position to the disengaging position by the bolt arm in response to movement of the cam by the key.

9. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the blocking member is 1o movable from the disengaging position to the engaging position by the cam in response to movement of the cam by the key.

10. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt arm rear end includes a notch adapted to wedgingly engage the blocking member engaging part in the engaging position, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the 15 retracted position causes the distal end to move into further abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end notch.

11. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bolt arm rear end notch includes a first surface, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the retracted position when the blocking member is in the engaging position causes the engaging 20 part to slide along the first surface into further abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end notch.

12. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bolt arm rear end includes a second surface, whereby further attempted movement of the bolt arm towards the retracted position when the blocking member is in the disengaging position causes the engaging 25 part end to slide along the second surface away from abutting engagement with the bolt arm rear end.

13. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking member includes at least one shaft part adapted for pivotal movement about an axis.

14. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the engaging part of the 30 blocking member is eccentric to the axis.

15. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the blocking member includes two said shaft portions, spaced apart by the engaging part of the blocking member.

16. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engaging part is positioned on the end of a U shaped part, between the two shaft portions. 14

17. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bolt arm rear end is positioned between the two shaft portions when in the retracted position.

18. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the claims I to 12, wherein the blocking member includes at least one carrier part adapted for pivotal movement along the 5 straight path.

19. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the member includes two said carrier parts, spaced apart and bridged by the engaging part of the blocking member.

20. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bolt arm rear end is positioned between the two carrier parts when in the retracted position. 10

21. A method of operating a lock assembly, the lock assembly comprising: a key barrel adapted to pivot a cam associated therewith in response to pivoting of a key in the key barrel; a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement is between a retracted position and an extended position in response to pivoting of the cam; a bolt connected to the bolt arm front end; and a blocking member having an engaging part, the method comprising: moving the blocking member to an engaging position, in which the engaging 20 part is able to engage the bolt arm rear end to prevent attempted movement of the bolt arm to the retracted position; and moving the blocking member to a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the engaging part to the retracted position.

22. A method of operating a multi mode lock assembly, 25 the lock assembly comprising: a bolt arm having a front end and a rear end, the bolt arm adapted for movement between a retracted opening position and an extended latching position; a blocking member, the method comprising: 30 setting the lock assembly in passage or deadbolt mode with a key; moving the blocking member to an engaging position, in which it can engage the bolt arm rear end to prevent movement of the bolt arm to the retracted position, to lock the lock assembly; and 15 moving the blocking member to a disengaging position, in which the bolt arm rear end can travel past the bolt arm rear end towards a retracted position, to unlock the lock assembly; and moving the blocking member between the engaging and disengaging positions 5 independently of the key.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the method includes pivoting the blocking member to the engaging position or the disengaging position.

24. The method as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the method includes driving the blocking member along a straight path to the engaging position or the disengaging position. 10

25. The method as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the method includes moving the blocking member with an electrically powered driver

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, the method includes moving the blocking member with a solenoid.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the method includes moving the is blocking member with a manual driver.

28. The method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the method includes moving the blocking member from the engaging position to the disengaging position by movement of the bolt arm in response to movement of the cam by the key.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the method includes moving the 20 blocking member from the disengaging position to the engaging position by movement of the cam in response to movement of the key.

30. A lock assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 9D or I OA to 16B of the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of operating a lock assembly, the method substantially as described 25 herein with reference to Figs I to 9D or lOA to 16D of the accompanying drawings. Dated 22 September, 2008 Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited 30 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON