AU2012201867B2

AU2012201867B2 - Lock body

Info

Publication number: AU2012201867B2
Application number: AU2012201867A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Jordan; Raymond Schroder
Original assignee: Trend Windows and Doors Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Trend Windows and Doors Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-01
Filing date: 2012-03-29
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-29
Also published as: NZ599121A; AU2012201867A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a lock body for a hinged door or window. The lock body includes a casing with a first handle arranged on a first side of the casing and a second handle arranged on an opposed second side of the casing. A locking mechanism is also mounted to the casing. A latch is slidably mounted to the casing and biased to an extended latching position. The latch is retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle and the second side handle to an unlatched position. A lock bolt is slidably mounted to the casing for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position. The lock bolt is operably associated with the locking mechanism and the second side handle. The lock body is configured such that when the lock bolt has been extended to the locked position by the second side handle, the lock bolt can be retracted by either the locking mechanism or the second side handle. When the lock bolt has been extended by the locking mechanism the lock bolt can only be retracted by the locking mechanism. Figure 2 '22 3d

Description

LOCK BODY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to security devices for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. More particularly, the present invention relates to locks for hinged doors and windows.

[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use as a multi-point mortise lock and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] Residential, commercial and industrial buildings commonly include one or more doors which are hinged to a doorframe such that the door can pivot between closed and open positions.

[0005] One type of lock for such hinged doors or windows includes a locking tongue and deadbolt. Typically, the locking tongue is biased to an extended latching position. The locking tongue is retracted against the biasing force by an internal handle or an external handle.

[0006] Known locks are typically focused towards inhibiting unauthorised access to the building. Accordingly, it is generally required to use a key to unlock a deadbolt from either an external side or an internal side of the door. The requirement to use a key to unlock a door from inside a room or a building can lead to difficulties in the event of an emergency or otherwise can be generally inconvenient if the relevant key is readily located. This can lead to serious injury or even death in the case of a fire to a building. Even if the key is readily available, a user can go into a state of panic in emergency situations rendering them unable to unlock the door quickly and efficiently.

[0007] Furthermore, some known door locks include small devices for indicating the status or mode of the lock of a door or window. However, these devices are typically not sufficiently robust and can be difficult to see at a glance. Again, these characteristics are undersirable in the event of an emergency and can lead to undesirable consequences to a person inside a room or building.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of these disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock body for a hinged door, the lock body including: a casing; a first handle arranged on a first side of the casing; a second handle arranged on an opposed second side of the casing; a locking mechanism mounted to the casing; a latch slidably mounted to the casing and biased to an extended latching position, the latch being retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle and the second side handle to an unlatched position; a lock bolt slidably mounted to the casing for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position, the lock bolt being operably associated with the locking mechanism and the second side handle; wherein, when the lock bolt has been extended to the locked position by the second side handle the lock bolt can be retracted by either the locking mechanism or the second side handle, and when the lock bolt has been extended by the locking mechanism the lock bolt can only be retracted by the locking mechanism.

[0010] The casing is preferably adapted for mounting within a recess formed in the free edge of the door (i.e. the edge opposite the hinged edge). In some preferred embodiments, the casing is received in the recess so as to be substantially flush with the free edge of the door. Preferably, the lock body is configured as a mortise lock.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the casing has a rear backing plate, a top backing plate and a side plate. Preferably, one or more spacers are mounted between the rear and top backing plates to hold the rear and top backing plates in fixed spaced apart relation.

[0012] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a key-operated lock cylinder extending through the casing from the first side to the second side of the door, the locking mechanism being selectively operable to move (e.g. slide) the lock bolt between its extended locking position and its retracted unlocked position. The ends of the lock cylinder may project past the rear and top backing plates of the casing so as to be substantially flush with the respective internal and external sides of the door, or to project past and be proud of the surfaces of the respective sides of the door.

[0013] The key-operated lock cylinder is preferably configured to be operated from either side of the door (i.e. internal and external sides). For example, as will be described in greater detail below, key operation of the lock cylinder from an external side of the door can be used to facilitate unlocking of the door so as to permit entry into a room. Similarly, key operation of the lock cylinder from an internal side of the door can be used to facilitate unlocking of the door so as to facilitate exiting from a room.

[0014] Preferably, the key-operated lock cylinder has a rotatable member for effecting movement of the lock bolt between the locking and unlocked positions via key operation of the cylinder. The rotatable member may directly or indirectly engage the lock bolt such that its rotation causes a linear displacement of the lock bolt.

[0015] Preferably, the first handle is arranged on the external side of the door. The first handle is preferably biased to a neutral position in which the latch is in its extended latching position. In some preferred embodiments, the first handle is biased to the neutral position by a first handle spring. Preferably, the first handle spring is a torsion spring or a compression coil spring.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the first handle is rotatably mounted to the casing such that the first handle can be selectively rotated and moved from the neutral position to an opening position to cause the latch to retract, or at least partially retract, into the casing so as to not interfere with the doorframe.

[0017] In certain preferred embodiments, the first handle is adapted to lie in a substantially horizontal orientation when in the neutral position. The first handle is preferably movable (e.g. rotatable) from the neutral position through an angle in the range of between approximately 40 to 90 degrees for retracting the latch to the unlatched position. Preferably, the first handle can rotate by approximately 45 to 70 degrees, more preferably within the range of approximately 45 to 60 degrees from the neutral position. In some preferred embodiments, the first handle extends in a substantially vertical direction when it is rotated through its maximum angle of rotation away from the neutral position. It will of course be appreciated that the angle through which the handle can rotate is not limited to those values recited above, but rather can be configured to suit the requirements of a particular application, as desired. When the first handle is released it automatically returns to the neutral position under the action of the first handle spring.

[0018] Preferably, the second handle is arranged on the internal side of the door for facilitating exit from the room. The second handle is preferably movable between a neutral position in which the latch is extended, an opening position in which the latch is retracted and a second position in which the lock bolt is extended. Preferably, the second handle is movable from the neutral position in a first direction to an opening position to effect retraction of the latch.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the second handle is rotatably mounted to the casing such that the second handle can be selectively rotated and moved from the neutral position to the opening position to cause the latch to retract, or at least partially retract, into the casing so as to not interfere with the doorframe.

[0020] The second handle is preferably biased to return from the opening position to the neutral position. In some preferred embodiments, the second handle is biased to the neutral position by a second handle spring. Preferably, the second handle spring is a torsion spring or a compression coil spring.

[0021] Preferably, the second handle is movable from the neutral position in a second direction to the second position to extend and retain the lock bolt in the locked position to secure the door. The second handle is preferably configured to require manual operation to return it to the neutral position, rather than being biased to return to the neutral position from the second position. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that preferred embodiments of the second handle are advantageously configured to provide a secure latching mode (or “night latching mode”) whereby a user can securely lock the door from inside without requiring use of a key.

[0022] In particular, it will be appreciated that by retaining the second handle in the second position the lock bolt will be held in its thrown or extended position so that the door can be secured, from the inside without use a key, whilst still requiring a key to unlock the door from the external side of the door (e.g. from outside the room or building to which the door is mounted) This provides the “night latching” feature described above and enables a user to readily secure the door from the inside, yet enabling the door to opened quickly and efficiently by hand-operation in the event of an emergency (e g. fire) when use of a key can be difficult due to stress and panic associated with the situation, resulting in valuable time being lost to escape the imminent danger. Furthermore, it avoids the need to locate the key in such emergency situations.

[0023] It will also be appreciated that when the second handle is in the second position it provides a clear visual indication to a user that the lock bolt is in its extended locking position, but that a key is not required to exit the room. Again, this visual indication is advantageous in the event of an emergency. At other times, it is a convenient feature for assessing whether or not a key is required to retract the lock bolt.

[0024] In its preferred embodiment, the second handle can be used to open the door by moving it from the second position to the neutral position to thereby retract the lock bolt. Further rotation of the handle to move the second handle from the neutral position to the first position retracts the latch, thereby releasing the door and allowing the user to swing the door open on its hinges so that passage may be made from the room through the doorway.

[0025] It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lock bolt advantageously provides secure locking of the door whereby the door will remain locked even if the first handle is operated from the outside to release the latch, whilst the latch provides a means to hold the door in a closed position but be readily opened from either side of the door by using the first or second handle to retract the latch from its extended latching position.

[0026] Preferably, the latch is biased to its extended latching position by a latch spring. In some preferred embodiments, the latch spring is a coil spring or a leaf spring. The latch spring is preferably mounted over a shaft extending from a rear face of the latch. Preferably, the latch, latch spring and shaft are mounted to a mounting bracket associated with the top backing plate. A spring spacer is preferably provided between a head of the shaft and the mounting bracket to preload the latch spring.

[0027] The latch preferably has a tapered, chamfered or rounded face so as to enable the latch to retract as the door passes the doorframe as the door swings to its closed position. A striker plate may be provided on the doorframe so that the latch strikes the plate, rather than the doorframe. The striker plate preferably has one or more openings through which the latch and lock bolts may pass so as to be received in a corresponding recess or recesses in the doorframe.

[0028] Preferably, the lock bolt is in the form of a rectangular prism which is configured to be received in the correspondingly shaped recess in the doorframe (and to pass through the corresponding opening in the striker plate if one is provided).

[0029] Preferably, the casing houses a drive mechanism interconnecting and defining the working interrelationship between the lock bolt, the key-operated lock cylinder, the first side handle and the second side handle.

[0030] The drive mechanism preferably includes a split-pin arrangement for enabling selective independent operation of the first and second side handles to retract the latch and/or extend the lock bolt. Preferably, the split-pin arrangement comprises a first spigot extending from the first handle and a second spigot extending from the second handle. The first and second handles are preferably arranged so that the first and second spigots are substantially coaxially aligned and define an axis of rotation for the first and second handles.

[0031] Preferably, the drive mechanism preferably includes a cam mechanism associated with the split-pin arrangement for enabling selective independent operation of the key-operated lock cylinder and the second side handle to extend or retract the lock bolt.

[0032] The cam mechanism preferably includes two or more rotatably mounted cam-type elements. The cam-type elements are preferably mounted to the first and second spigots to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the first and second handles.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, the cam mechanism includes three axially aligned cam-type elements, including an inside arm, a middle arm and an outside arm. The outside arm is preferably mounted to the first spigot of the first handle (e.g. external handle) such that operation of the first handle causes a corresponding rotation of the outside arm to retract the latch.

[0034] Preferably, the inside arm and middle arm are mounted to the second spigot of the second handle (e.g. internal handle) such that operation of the second handle in a first direction to its opening position causes a corresponding rotation of the middle arm to retract the latch, and operation of the second handle in a second direction to its second position causes a corresponding rotation of the inside arm to extend the lock bolt to its locking position. In certain embodiments, a washer is provided between the inside arm and middle arm.

[0035] In certain preferred embodiments, the lock body includes an auxiliary securing mechanism. The auxiliary securing mechanism preferably includes one or more auxiliary securing elements such as, for example, securing pins, studs, bolts, anchors, throw bolts or the like for securing the door at one or more additional locations about the door frame and/or to the floor (i.e. in addition to the latch and lock bolt).

[0036] In certain preferred embodiments, the auxiliary securing mechanism includes a top actuating arm and a bottom actuating arm operatively associated with the lock bolt and mounted for sliding movement relative to the casing between extended and retracted positions. Preferably, the top and bottom actuating arms are adapted to slide in opposite directions to each other. The top and bottom actuating arms are preferably configured to slide in unison.

Preferably, the inside arm of the cam-mechanism engages an engaging formation such as, for example, a notch in the bottom actuating arm such that rotation of the inside arm causes a corresponding sliding movement of the bottom arm and thus the associated auxiliary securing element.

[0037] Preferably, each actuating arm has a mounting formation for mounting one or more extension arms, whereby an auxiliary securing element can be attached to the distal end of each extension arm. The extension arms are preferably threadedly engagable with the mounting formations. In other embodiments, the distal end of each extension arm defines the auxiliary securing element.

[0038] The auxiliary securing mechanism is preferably adapted to operate in tandem with the lock bolt. Preferably, the auxiliary securing elements are configured to move between extended and retracted positions simultaneously with the extension and retraction of the lock bolt. That is, the auxiliary securing mechanism is preferably adapted to be selectively operated by one of the key-operated lock cylinder or the second handle.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the top actuating arm has a top arm slot for receiving an external side pin connected to the lock bolt. The external side pin is also received in a slot of the rear backing plate, the top arm slot being angled relative to the rear backing plate slot such that movement of the lock bolt causes the top actuating arm to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt.

[0040] In certain preferred embodiments, the bottom actuating arm has a bottom arm slot for receiving an internal side pin connected to the lock bolt. The internal side pin is also received in a slot of the top backing plate, the bottom arm slot being angled relative to the top backing plate slot such that movement of the lock bolt causes the bottom actuating arm to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt.

[0041] Preferably, the auxiliary securing elements connected to top and bottom actuating arms are configured to engage points above and below the door, respectively, to provide additional securing of the door.

[0042] In other preferred forms, the auxiliary securing mechanism includes side securing elements extending substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom securing elements for securing the door at additional points adjacent the free and hinged edges of the door. Preferably, the four extension arms are preferably attached to so as to be radially spaced apart by an angle of approximately 90 degrees about a central axis of the mounting member.

[0043] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise", “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to".

[0044] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a multipoint lock body for a hinged door having a first side handle and a second side handle, the lock body including: a casing; a locking mechanism mountable to the casing; a latch slidably mounted to the casing and biased to an extended latching position, the latch being retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle and the second side handle to an unlatched position; a lock bolt slidably mounted to the casing for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position, the lock bolt being operably associated with the locking mechanism and the second side handle; wherein, when the lock bolt has been extended to the locked position by the second side handle the lock bolt can be retracted by either the locking mechanism or the second side handle, and when the lock bolt has been extended by the locking mechanism the lock bolt can only be retracted by the locking mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- [0046] Figure 1 shows an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the multi-point lock body according to the invention; [0047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-point lock body according to the invention; [0048] Figure 3 is perspective view of the multi-point lock body of Figure 2, in the unlocked configuration; [0049] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the multi-point lock body showing the internal handle moving to its opening position; [0050] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the multi-point lock body showing the extension of the lock bolt and auxiliary locking arms by key operation of the lock cylinder; [0051] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the multi-point lock body showing the retraction of the lock bolt and auxiliary locking arms by key operation of the lock cylinder; [0052] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the multi-point lock body in a night latching mode with the internal handle moved to its second position to extend the lock bolt and auxiliary securing arms; [0053] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing retraction of the lock bolt and auxiliary securing arms by manually returning the internal handle to the neutral position; [0054] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the multi-point lock body being unlocked from it night latch position by key operation from an external side of the door; [0055] Figure 10 shows a sequence of steps for assembling various parts of the multi-point lock body; and

[0056] Figure 11 shows a further sequence of steps in the assembly process. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0057] Referring to the drawings, the present invention provides a multi-point lock body in the form of a mortise lock 1. The mortise lock 1 is particularly suited for use on a hinged door (not shown) and will be described hereinafter in relation to this application of the lock. However, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the mortise lock 1 could be readily adapted for other security applications with residential, commercial or industrial buildings, including use with windows.

[0058] In the following description, the lock 1 will be described as mounted on a free edge (i.e. the edge opposite the hinged edge) of the door. The door will be described as hinged to one side of a doorframe so that the door can swing about the hinges between open and closed positions for permitting entry to and exit from a building or room as required.

[0059] The mortise lock 1 includes a casing 2 sized to be received in, and sit flush with, a recess formed in the free edge of the door. The casing is substantially in the form of a rectangular prism and generally of hollow construction so as to facilitate housing of the various components of the mortise lock 1, as will be described in detail below.

[0060] As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the casing 2 has a rear backing plate 3, a top backing plate 4 and a side plate 5. Preferably, one or more spacers 6 are mounted between the rear and top backing plates (4, 3) to hold the rear and top backing plates in fixed spaced apart relation so as to form the rectangular prism structure.

[0061] The mortise lock 1 includes a locking mechanism in the form of a key-operated lock cylinder 7 extending through the casing 2. As shown in Figure 2, the ends of the lock cylinder 7 project past the rear and top backing plates (4, 3) of the casing 2 and are proud of the surfaces of the respective sides of the door.

[0062] The key-operated lock cylinder 7 is configured to be operated from either side of the door (i.e. internal and external sides). For example, as will be described in greater detail below, key operation of the lock cylinder from an external side of the door can be used to facilitate unlocking of the door so as to permit entry into a room. Similarly, key operation of the lock cylinder from an internal side of the door can be used to facilitate unlocking of the door so as to facilitate exiting from a room.

[0063] With reference to Figure 2, a first side handle 8 is arranged on an external side of the door and a second side handle 9 is arranged on an internal side of the door.

[0064] The mortise lock 1 further includes a latch 10 and lock bolt 11, both mounted for sliding movement relative to the casing 2. The side plate 5 of the casing 2 has openings (12, 13) through which the latch 10 and lock bolt 11 can pass, respectively. A spacer 'S’ is arranged in the casing between the top and rear backing plates (4, 3). The spacer ‘S’ provides a platform for positioning and guiding the lock bolt 11 at a desired position between the top and rear backing plates.

[0065] The latch 10 is slidably mounted to the casing 2 and biased to an extended latching position by a coil latch spring 14, as shown in Figure 3. The latch 10 is retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle 8 and the second side handle 9 to an unlatched position, as indicated by the arrow ‘X’ shown in Figure 4.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the latch 10 is mounted to a mounting bracket 15 integrally connected with the top backing plate 4. To facilitate mounting of the latch 10, a shaft 16 is threaded into the rear of the latch 10. The latch spring 14 is mounted on the shaft 16 so as to be held between the rear face of the latch 10 and the mounting bracket 15. A spring spacer 17 is provided between a head 18 of the shaft 16 and the mounting bracket 15 to compress and preload the latch spring 14 and thereby provide the desired force for biasing the latch to the extended position.

[0067] The latch 10 has a rounded leading face 19 which helps to retract the latch as the door passes the doorframe as the door swings to its closed position. A striker plate (not shown) is preferably provided on the doorframe so that the rounded leading face of the latch strikes the plate, rather than the door frame.

The striker plate has openings aligned with the openings (12, 13) of the side plate 5 for allowing the latch 10 and lock bolt 11 to pass and be received in corresponding recesses in the door frame to secure the door.

[0068] The lock bolt 11 is slidably mounted to the casing 2 for movement between an extended locking position as shown in Figure 5, and a retracted unlocked position as shown in Figure 6. As will be described in greater detail below, the lock bolt 11 is operably associated with the key-operated lock cylinder 7 and the second (internal) handle 9. The lock bolt 11 is in the form of a rectangular prism and is configured to be received in the correspondingly shaped recess in the doorframe.

[0069] As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the key-operated lock cylinder 7 has a rotatable member 20 for effecting movement of the lock bolt 11 between the locking and unlocked positions via key operation of the cylinder 7. The rotatable member 20 engages the lock bolt 11 such that its rotation causes a linear displacement of the lock bolt, between the locking and unlocked positions. In the views of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, counterclockwise rotation of the key in the lock cylinder causes a corresponding counterclockwise rotation of the rotatable member 20 which displaces the lock bolt 11 to the left to its extended position. Similarly, clockwise rotation of the key causes a corresponding clockwise rotation of the rotatable member 20 which displaces the lock bolt 11 to the right to its retracted position.

[0070] The first handle 8 is arranged on the external side of the door and is biased to the neutral position (e.g. horizontal) shown in Figure 2 in which the latch 10 is in its extended latching position. The first handle 8 is rotatably mounted to the casing 2 such that the first handle 8 can be selectively rotated and moved from the neutral (horizontal) position to an opening position to cause the latch 10 to retract into the casing 2 so as to not interfere with the doorframe.

[0071] The second handle 9 is arranged on the internal side of the door and is movable between a neutral position in which the latch is extended, an opening position in which the latch is retracted and a second position in which the lock bolt is extended. The neutral position (e g. horizontal position) is shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the second handle 9 is selectively movable from the neutral position in a first direction (i.e. clockwise in Figure 4) to the opening position to effect retraction of the latch 10, against the bias, into the casing so as to not interfere with the doorframe. Upon release of the second handle 9, the bias of the spring returns the second handle 9 from the opening position to the neutral position.

[0072] With reference to Figure 7 to 9, the second handle 9 is movable from the neutral position in a second direction to the second position (Figure 9) to extend and retain the lock bolt 11 in the locked position to secure the door. The second handle 11 is configured to require selective manual operation to return it to the neutral position (as opposed to being biased to return to the neutral position). It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that securing of the door can be achieved by extending the lock bolt with the second handle without the aid of a key, thus advantageously providing a secure latching mode (or “night latching mode”) to the mortise lock 1, whereby a user can securely lock the door from inside without requiring use of a key. The mechanism for achieving this mode of operation is described in detail below.

[0073] In particular, it will be appreciated that by retaining the second handle 9 in the second position the lock bolt will be held in its thrown or extended position so that the door can be secured, from the inside without the use of a key, whilst still requiring a key to unlock the door from the external side of the door (e.g. from outside the room or building to which the door is mounted). Figure 9 shows the use of a key to unlock the door from the external side (e.g. outside) when the mortise lock 1 is in its night latching mode.

[0074] It will also be appreciated that when the second handle 9 is in the second position it provides a clear visual indication to a user that the lock bolt 11 is in its extended locking position, but that a key is not required to exit the room.

[0075] In the night latching mode, the second handle 9 can be used to open the door by moving it from the second position to the neutral position to thereby retract the lock bolt 11. Further rotation of the handle to move the second handle from the neutral position to the first position retracts the latch 10, thereby releasing the door and allowing the user to swing the door open on its hinges so that passage may be made from the room through the doorway.

[0076] It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the mortise lock 1 is configured such that the lock bolt 11 advantageously provides for secure locking of the door whereby the door will remain securely locked even if the first handle 8 is operated from the outside to release the latch 10 (i.e. the lock bolt will remain extended during operation of the first handle). Whereas, the latch 10 provides a means to hold the door in a closed and latched position but be readily opened from either side of the door by using the first or second handle to retract the latch from its extended latching position (i.e. when the lock bolt is retracted). That is, a key is still required to unlock the door from the outside when the lock bolt 11 is in its extended position, regardless of whether the lock bolt 11 was extended by moving the second handle 9 to the second position or by key operation of the lock cylinder 7.

[0077] Referring to Figures 1, 10 and 11, the mechanism for achieving the various locking modes of the mortise lock 1 will now be described. The mortise lock 1 includes a drive mechanism which interconnects and defines the working interrelationship between the lock bolt 11, the key-operated lock cylinder 7, the first side handle 8 and the second side handle 9.

[0078] The drive mechanism includes a split-pin arrangement/mechanism for enabling selective independent operation of the first and second side handles to retract the latch and/or extend the lock bolt. The split-pin arrangement comprises a first spigot (not shown) extending from the first handle 8 and a second spigot (not shown) extending from the second handle 9. The first and second handles are arranged so that the first and second spigots are coaxially aligned and define an axis of rotation for the first and second handles.

[0079] The drive mechanism includes a cam mechanism mounted to the first and second spigots. The first and second spigots act in combination with the cam mechanism and to enable selective independent operation of the key-operated lock cylinder 7 and the second side handle 9 to extend or retract the lock bolt 11.

[0080] Referring to Figure 1, the cam mechanism includes three axially aligned cam-type elements including an inside arm 21, a middle arm 22, and an outside arm 23.

[0081] The outside arm 23 is mounted to the first spigot of the first handle 8 (e.g. external handle) and engages the head 18 of the shaft 16 such that operation of the first handle 8 causes a corresponding rotation of the outside arm 23 to retract the latch 10.

[0082] The inside arm 21 and middle arm 22 are mounted to the second spigot of the second handle 9 (e.g. internal handle). The middle arm 22 engages the head 18 of the shaft 16 such that operation (e.g. rotation) of the second handle 9 in a first direction to its opening position causes a corresponding rotation of the middle arm 22 to retract the latch 10. Rotation of the second handle 9 in a second direction to its second position causes a corresponding rotation of the inside arm 21 to extend the lock bolt 11 to its locking position. A friction reducing element in the form of a washer 24 is provided between the inside arm 21 and middle arm 22 to reduce the friction between these two components during relative rotation thereof.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the lock body 1 includes an auxiliary securing mechanism in the form of throw bolts 25. The illustrated embodiment includes two throw bolts 25 which are adapted to slide in opposite directions to each other. An upper throw bolt 25 is employed to provide additional securing of the door at a point above the top edge of the door. A lower throw bolt 25 is employed to provide additional securing of the door at a point below the door (i.e. in the floor).

[0084] The throw bolts 25 are configured to move between extended and retracted positions in unison and simultaneously with the extension and retraction of the lock bolt 11. More particularly, the throw bolts 25 are adapted to be operated by either the key-operated lock cylinder? or the second handle 9 (e.g. internal handle).

[0085] To actuate the throw bolts 25, the auxiliary securing mechanism includes a top actuating arm 26 and a bottom actuating arm 27 operatively associated with the lock bolt 11 and the inside arm 21 of the cam mechanism.

The top and bottom actuating arms (26, 27) are mounted for sliding movement relative to the casing 2 between extended and retracted positions. The bottom actuating arm 27 has an engaging formation in the form of a notch “Ν’ which the inside arm 21 engages such that rotation of the inside arm 21 causes a corresponding sliding movement of the bottom actuating arm to extend or retract the associated throw bolt 25.

[0086] The top actuating arm 26 has an angled slot 28 for receiving an external side pin 29 extending from the lock bolt 11. The external side pin 29 is also received in a (e.g. horizontal) slot 30 in the top backing plate 4. The slot 28 is angled at approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal slot 30 such that movement of the lock bolt 11 causes the top actuating arm 26 to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt 11 (in this case, upwardly to effect securing of the top throw bolt 25 into the doorframe above the door).

[0087] The bottom actuating arm 27 also has an angled slot 31 for receiving an internal side pin 32 extending from the opposite side of the lock bolt 11. The internal side pin 32 is also received in a (e.g. horizontal) slot 33 of the rear backing plate 3. The bottom arm slot 31 is angled at approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal slot 33 such that movement of the lock bolt 11 causes the bottom actuating arm 27 to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the bottom arm slot 31 is angled in an opposite direction to the angle slot 28 in the top actuating arm 26 so that the bottom arm and thus lower throw bolt moves downwardly to engage a point in the floor, whilst the top throw bolts moves upwardly.

[0088] A bearing 34 is preferably mounted on each side pin (29, 32) to facilitate the relative sliding movement between the backing plates and the respective actuating arms (26, 27). A retainer in the form of a clip ring 35 is fitted to the pins to retainer the bearing in position.

[0089] Accordingly, the present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, provides a safe, robust, effective, easy to use and relatively inexpensive device for enhancing the security of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Preferred embodiments of the multi-point lock body advantageously enable safe and secure locking of a hinged door or window by a user from an internal side without the use of a key whilst at the same time providing a clear indication to the user of the mode in which the door or window has been locked. In particular, a user need only observe the position of the inside handle to receive an immediate indication of the locking mode used.

These features are of particular advantage during the event of time critical emergencies such as fires, particularly if the key is not readily available or seen by the user. In these and other respects, the invention in its preferred embodiments represents a practical and commercially significant improvement over the prior art.

[0090] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lock body for a hinged door, the lock body including: a casing; a first handle arranged on a first side of the casing; a second handle arranged on an opposed second side of the casing; a locking mechanism mounted to the casing; a latch slidably mounted to the casing and biased to an extended latching position, the latch being retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle and the second side handle to an unlatched position; a lock bolt slidably mounted to the casing for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position, the lock bolt being operably associated with the locking mechanism and the second side handle; wherein, when the lock bolt has been extended to the locked position by the second side handle the lock bolt can be retracted by either the locking mechanism or the second side handle, and when the lock bolt has been extended by the locking mechanism the lock bolt can only be retracted by the locking mechanism.
2. A lock body according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a key-operated lock cylinder extending through the casing from the first side to the second side of the door.
3. A lock body according to claim 2, wherein the key-operated lock cylinder has a rotatable member for effecting movement of the lock bolt between the locking and unlocked positions via key operation of the cylinder.
4. A lock body according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable member directly engages the lock bolt such that its rotation causes a linear displacement of the lock bolt.
5. A lock body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first handle is biased to a neutral position in which the latch is in its extended latching position.
6. A lock body according to claim 5, wherein the first handle is biased to the neutral position by a first handle spring.
7. A lock body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second handle is configured to be movable between a neutral position where the latch is extended, an opening position where the latch is retracted, and a second position where the lock bolt is extended.
8. A lock body according to claim 7, wherein the second handle is biased to return from the opening position to the neutral position.
9. A lock body according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the second handle is configured to require selective manual operation to return it to the neutral position.
10. A lock body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is biased to its extended latching position by a latch spring.
11. A lock body according to claim 10, wherein the latch spring is mounted over a shaft extending from a rear face of the latch.
12. A lock body according to claim 11, wherein the latch, latch spring and shaft are mounted to a mounting bracket within the casing.
13. A lock body according to claim 12, wherein a spring spacer is provided between a head of the shaft and the mounting bracket to preload the latch spring.
14. A lock body according to claim 1, wherein the casing houses a drive mechanism interconnecting and defining the working interrelationship between the lock bolt, the locking mechanism, the first side handle and the second side handle.
15. A lock body according to claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism includes a split-pin arrangement for enabling selective independent operation of the first and second side handles to retract the latch and/or extend the lock bolt.
16. A lock body according to claim 15, wherein the split-pin arrangement comprises a first spigot extending from the first handle and a second spigot extending from the second handle.
17. A lock body according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the drive mechanism includes a cam mechanism associated with the split-pin arrangement for enabling selective independent operation of the locking mechanism and the second side handle to extend or retract the lock bolt.
18. A lock body according to claim 17, wherein the cam mechanism includes two or more rotatably mounted camming elements.
19. A lock body according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cam mechanism includes three axially aligned camming elements, including an inside arm, a middle arm and an outside arm, wherein the outside arm is mounted to the first spigot of the first handle such that operation of the first handle causes a corresponding rotation of the outside arm to retract the latch, and wherein the inside arm and middle arm are mounted to the second spigot of the second handle such that operation of the second handle in a first direction to its opening position causes a corresponding rotation of the middle arm to retract the latch, and operation of the second handle in a second direction to its second position causes a corresponding rotation of the inside arm to extend the lock bolt to its locking position.
20. A lock body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock body includes an auxiliary securing mechanism for securing the door at one or more additional locations around the door.
21. A lock body according to claim 20, wherein the auxiliary securing mechanism includes one or more auxiliary securing elements, the auxiliary securing elements being receivable within openings arranged about a doorframe and/or floor.
22. A lock body according to claim 21, wherein the auxiliary securing elements are selected from the group including securing pins, studs, bolts, anchors and throw bolts.
23. A lock body according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the auxiliary securing mechanism includes a top actuating arm and a bottom actuating arm operatively associated with the lock bolt and mounted for sliding movement relative to the casing between extended and retracted positions.
24. A lock body according to claim 23, wherein the top and bottom actuating arms are configured to slide in unison.
25. A lock body according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the inside arm of the cam-mechanism engages an engaging formation in the bottom actuating arm such that rotation of the inside arm causes a corresponding sliding movement of the bottom arm and the associated auxiliary securing element.
26. A lock body according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein each actuating arm has a mounting formation for mounting one or more extension arms such that an auxiliary securing element can be attached to the distal end of each extension arm
27. A lock body according to claim 26, wherein each extension arm is threadedly engagable with the associated mounting formation.
28. A lock body according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the auxiliary securing elements are configured to move between extended and retracted positions simultaneously with the extension and retraction of the lock bolt
29. A lock body according to any one of claims 23 to 28, in which the top actuating arm has a top arm slot for receiving an external side pin connected to the lock bolt, wherein the external side pin is also received in a slot of the rear backing plate, the top arm slot being angled relative to the rear backing plate slot such that movement of the lock bolt causes the top actuating arm to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt.
30. A lock body according to any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein the bottom actuating arm has a bottom arm slot for receiving an internal side pin connected to the lock bolt, wherein the internal side pin is also received in a slot of the top backing plate, the bottom arm slot being angled relative to the top backing plate slot such that movement of the lock bolt causes the bottom actuating arm to be linearly displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the lock bolt.
31. A lock body according to claim 1, wherein the casing is adapted for mounting within a recess formed in the free edge of the door.
32. A multi-point lock body for a hinged door having a first side handle and a second side handle, the lock body including: a casing; a locking mechanism mountable to the casing; a latch slidably mounted to the casing and biased to an extended latching position, the latch being retractable against the bias by operation of either one of the first side handle and the second side handle to an unlatched position; a lock bolt slidably mounted to the casing for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position, the lock bolt being operably associated with the locking mechanism and the second side handle; wherein, when the lock bolt has been extended to the locked position by the second side handle the lock bolt can be retracted by either the locking mechanism or the second side handle, and when the lock bolt has been extended by the locking mechanism the lock bolt can only be retracted by the locking mechanism.
33. A lock body for a hinged door substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.
34. A multi-point lock body for a hinged door having a first side handle and a second side handle substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.