AU2013200645B2

AU2013200645B2 - Flush bolt

Info

Publication number: AU2013200645B2
Application number: AU2013200645A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Greenbury
Original assignee: Allegion Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Allegion Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-16
Filing date: 2013-02-07
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-07
Also published as: CN103255954A; AU2013200645A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a flush bolt (10). The flush bolt includes a body (12) for attachment to a closure member (14). The body has one or more holes (16) through which fasteners (18) in use pass to secure the body to the closure member. A bolt (20) is provided that is connected to the body and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body. The flush body further includes a lever (22) connected to the bolt and movable between a first position and a second position for causing the bolt to move between its retracted position and extended position respectively. The flush bolt also includes one or more first cover(s) for attachment to the body to conceal one or more of the fastener holes of the body. 22 -5 26-- FIG. 1 q18

Description

1 FLUSH BOLT Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a flush bolt. [0002] The invention has been primarily developed for use in a door and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, the invention can also be used in other types of closures such as windows or partitions. Background of the Invention [0003] Known flush bolts typically comprise a body that is to be mortised into a void in an edge of a door. Such flush bolts further comprise a lever which is connected to a bolt in such a manner that movement of the lever relative to the body will cause the bolt to be located in either an extended or a retracted position. A key-operated lock is normally used for securing the bolt in its extended position when it is required to secure a door in a closed position. [0004] A disadvantage of known flush bolts is that they are typically secured with unconcealed fasteners which can be readily accessed to dismantle a flush bolt in order to gain unauthorised entry to or exit from a premises. [0005] Another disadvantage of known flush bolts with unconcealed fasteners is that such fasteners can detract from the aesthetic appeal of a flush bolt installation. [0006] A further disadvantage associated with known flush bolts employing visible fasteners is that a limitation is placed on the number of fasteners that may be employed to secure a flush bolt when taking, for example, the aesthetics of a flush bolt installation into consideration. Limiting the number of fasteners employed to secure a flush bolt can, however, reduce the strength of the attachment of the flush bolt, making it possible for the flush bolt to be pulled from a door by a trespasser applying sufficient force thereto, or by high winds during a hurricane or similar natural disaster.

2 Object of the Invention [0007] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention [0008] There is disclosed herein a flush bolt including: a body for attachment to a closure member, the body having one or more holes through which fasteners in use pass to secure the body to the closure member; a bolt connected to the body and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body; a lever movable between a first position and a second position for causing the bolt to move between its retracted position and extended position respectively; and one or more first cover(s) for attachment to the body to conceal one or more of the fastener holes of the body, wherein the one or more first cover(s) is/are attachable to the body whilst the bolt is connected to the body. [0009] Preferably the fasteners are concealed by the one or more first cover(s) when the bolt is located in the extended position. [0010] Preferably the fasteners are concealed by the one or more first cover(s) when the bolt is located in the retracted position. [0011] Preferably the one or more first cover(s) has a substantially unbroken face. [0012] Preferably the lever secures the one or more first cover(s) to the body when the lever is located in the second position. [0013] Preferably the flush bolt includes a key operable cylinder. [0014] Preferably the lever is secured in its second position when the key operable cylinder is locked. [0015] Preferably the body includes a first attachment formation and the first cover a complimentary second attachment formation, the first and second attachment formations cooperating to allow the one or more first cover(s) to be detachably attached to the body.

3 [0016] Preferably the first attachment formation is provided in the form of one or more sleeves which extend into the body. [0017] Preferably the second attachment formation is provided in the form of one or more protruding members on the first cover, the protruding members being sized to be held inside the sleeves. [0018] Preferably the sleeves hold their respective protruding members in a friction fit. [0019] Preferably the body includes a bolt casing in which the bolt is held. [0020] Preferably the bolt slides along the bolt casing when moved between its retracted and extended positions. [0021] Preferably the first cover defines a first slot portion. [0022] Preferably the flush bolt includes a second cover to be located adjacent the first cover on the body. [0023] Preferably the second cover defines a second slot portion. [0024] Preferably the first and second slot portions define a lever slot along which the lever moves between its first and second position. [0025] Preferably the second cover includes a face cavity in which a face of the key operated cylinder is located. [0026] Preferably the flush bolt includes a lock casing in which the key operable cylinder is housed. [0027] Preferably the second cover includes one or more protruding cover sleeves, the cover sleeves being in register with one or more corresponding cover holes on the body. [0028] Preferably the lock casing includes one or more lock casing holes in register respectively with the one or more cover sleeves and the cover openings such that the second 4 cover and the lock casing are secured to the body when fasteners extend through the one or more lock casing holes, the one or more cover holes and into the cover sleeves. [0029] In a second preferred embodiment the one or more first cover(s) includes a ferromagnetic connector(s) adapted to co-operate with a magnet(s) on the body to secure the one or more first cover(s) to the body. [0030] In a third preferred embodiment the one or more first cover(s) includes a magnet(s) adapted to co-operate with a ferromagnetic material of the fastener(s) to secure the one or more first cover(s) to the body. Brief Description of the Drawings [0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of a head of a door frame and a door secured to the door frame by a flush bolt in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; [0033] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the flush bolt aligned with a void in an edge of a door in which it is to be secured. [0034] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view line at III-III in Figure 4; [0035] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the flush bolt; [0036] Figure 5 shows a side view of the flush bolt; [0037] Figure 6 shows a front view of the flush bolt; [0038] Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective front view of the flush bolt; [0039] Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective rear view of the flush bolt; [0040] Figure 9 shows cross-sectional end view of the first embodiment flush bolt; 5 [0041] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional end view of a second embodiment of a flush bolt; and [0042] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional end view of a third embodiment of a flush bolt. Description of Preferred Embodiments [0043] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a first embodiment of a flush bolt, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The flush bolt 10 includes a body 12 for attachment to a closure member, in the form of a door 14. The body 12 includes eight holes 16 through which fasteners 18, in the form of eight screws, can pass in order to secure the body 12 within a suitably configured void 17 of the door 14. A bolt 20 is connected to the body 12 and is moveable between a retracted position, shown in Figure 2, and an extended position, shown in Figures 7 and 8. When located in the extended position, the bolt 20 will extended into a head or sill of a door frame 15, thereby securing the door 14 in its closed position. [0044] The flush bolt 10 further includes a lever 22 which is connected to the bolt 20. The lever 22 is moveable between a first position, illustrated in Figure 2, and a second position, illustrated in Figure 1. The lever 22 acts as an actuator whereby movement between its first and second position will cause the bolt 20 to move between its retracted position and extended position respectively. [0045] A first cover 24 is provided for attachment to the body 12. The cover 24 provides a substantially unbroken face. When the first cover 24 is attached to the body 12 it will conceal the holes 16 and also the screws 18 which secure the body to the door 14. This feature is illustrated in Figure 1 and provides the installed flush bolt 10 with a neat, finished appearance. [0046] As the first cover 24 conceals the screws 18 it is possible to employ more screws for securing the body 12 to the door 14 than is generally employed in known flush bolt installations. Multiple unconcealed screws would result in the flush bolt having a somewhat unsightly appearance. This, however, is not the case with the flush bolt 10. The use of more screws 18, than is the case in known flush bolts, also allows the flush bolt 10 to withstand higher forces than is the case when a lesser number of screws is employed, before the flush bolt 10 will become separated from the door. [0047] When the lever 22 is located in its second position it secures the first cover 24 to the body 12. Accordingly, the first cover 24 can not be detached from the body 12 without first 6 returning the lever 22 to its first position. This arrangement deters unauthorised unlocking of the flush bolt 10 in that access to the screws 18 is obstructed by the first cover 24. [0048] Further, to maintain the lever 22 in its second position, the flush bolt 10 includes a lock, here a key operated cylinder 26. The key operated cylinder is of the type described in Australian Patent Application No. 2009201769, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0049] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8, the key operated cylinder 26 includes a lock member 28. In use, when the key operated cylinder 26 is located in a locked condition, the lock member 28 will obstruct movement of the lever 22 (bolt 20) in the second position and prevent it from being returned to its first position. The lever 22 includes an attachment formation 30 which co-operates with a slide member 32 to move the bolt 20 between its retracted and extended positions. The slide member 32 is slidably locatable within a recess 34 of the body 12. [0050] As shown in Figure 7, the body 12 includes a first attachment formation, generally indicated by the reference numeral 36. The attachment formation 36 is provided in the form of a plurality of sleeves 38 which extend into the body 12. The first cover 24, in turn, includes a complimental second attachment formation 40, shown in Figure 7, adapted to co-operate with the first attachment formation 36 in order to detachably attach the first cover 24 to the body 12. The second attachment formation 40 is provided in the form of a plurality of protruding members 42 sized such that they can be held inside the sleeves 38. In this embodiment the sleeves 38 and their respective protruding members 42 are sized such the sleeves hold the protruding members in a friction fit. [0051] The body 12 includes an oblong bolt casing 44 in which the bolt 20 is held. In use the bolt slides along the bolt casing 44 when moved between its retracted and extended positions. [0052] The flush bolt 10 includes a second cover 46, which is to be located adjacent the first cover 24 on the body 12. The first cover 24 defines a first slot portion 48 while the second cover 46 defines a second slot portion 50. In use, the first and second slot portions 48 and 50 define a lever slot, indicated with the reference numeral 52 in Figure 1 and Figure 6, along which the lever 22 moves between its first and second positions. [0053] The second cover 46 defines a face cavity 54 in which a face 56 of the key-operated cylinder 26 is in use located.

7 [0054] Figure 7 and Figure 8 show a lock casing 58 in which the key operated cylinder 26 is to be housed. [0055] The second cover 46 includes four protruding cover sleeves 60 which can be located in register with four corresponding cover holes 62 on the body 12. The lock casing 58, in turn, includes four lock casing holes 64 which are to be placed in register with the cover holes 62 of the body 12 and the cover sleeves 60 of the second cover 46 respectively, such that the second cover and the lock casing are secured to the body when fasteners 66 extend through the lock casing holes 64, the cover holes 62 and into the cover sleeves 60. [0056] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional end view of the flush bolt 10 and particularly the first cover 24 being secured to the body 12 by way of an interference fit between the protruding members 42 and the sleeves 38. [0057] Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of flush bolt 80. The first cover 24 of this embodiment includes ferromagnetic connectors 82 that are attached to an underside of the first cover. The ferromagnetic connectors 82 co-operate with magnets 84 on the body 12 to secure the first cover 24 to the body. [0058] Figure 11 shows a third embodiment of a flush bolt 90. In this embodiment, the first cover 24 includes magnets 92 which co-operate respectively with ferromagnetic fasteners 94 to secure the first cover 24 to the body 12. [0059] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in other forms.

Claims

1. A flush bolt including: a body for attachment to a closure member, the body having one or more holes through which fasteners in use pass to secure the body to the closure member; a bolt connected to the body and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body; a lever movable between a first position and a second position for causing the bolt to move between its retracted position and extended position respectively; and one or more first cover(s) for attachment to the body to conceal one or more of the fastener holes of the body, wherein the one or more first cover(s) is/are attachable to the body whilst the bolt is connected to the body .

2. A flush bolt according to claim 1, wherein the fasteners are concealed by the one or more first cover(s) when the bolt is located in the extended position.

3. A flush according to claim 1, wherein the fasteners are concealed by the one or more first cover(s) when the bolt is located in the retracted position.

4. A flush bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first cover(s) has a substantially unbroken face.

5. A flush bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever secures the one or more first cover(s) to the body when the lever is located in the second position.

6. A flush bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, including a key operable cylinder.

7. A flush bolt according to claim 6, wherein the lever is secured in its second position when the key operable cylinder is locked.

8. A flush bolt according to claim 7, including a lock casing in which the key operable cylinder is housed.

9. A flush bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a first attachment formation and the one or more first cover(s) includes a complimentary second 9 attachment formation, wherein the first and second attachment formations are adapted to cooperate to allow the one or more first cover(s) to be detachably attached to the body.

10. A flush bolt according to claim 9, wherein the first attachment formation is provided in the form of one or more sleeves which extend into the body.

11. A flush bolt according to claim 10, wherein the second attachment formation is provided in the form of one or more protruding members on the first cover, the protruding members being sized to be held inside the sleeves.

12. A flush bolt according to claim 11, wherein the sleeves hold their respective protruding members in a friction fit.

13. A flush bolt according to claim 8, wherein the body includes a bolt casing in which the bolt is held.

14. A flush bolt according to claim 13, wherein the bolt is adapted to slide along the bolt casing when moved between the retracted and extended positions.

15. A flush bolt according to claim 8, wherein the one or more first cover(s) defines a first slot portion.

16. A flush bolt according to claim 15, including a second cover to be located adjacent the one of more first cover(s) on the body.

17. A flush bolt according to claim 16, wherein the second cover defines a second slot portion.

18. A flush bolt according to claim 17, wherein the first and second slot portions define a lever slot along which the lever moves between its first and second position.

19. A flush bolt according to claim 18, wherein the second cover includes a face cavity in which a face of the key operated cylinder is located. 10

20. A flush bolt according to claim 16, wherein the second cover includes one or more protruding cover sleeves, the cover sleeves being in register with one or more corresponding cover holes on the body.

21. A flush bolt according to claim 20, wherein the lock casing includes one or more lock casing holes in register respectively with the one or more cover sleeves and the cover openings such that the second cover and the lock casing are secured to the body when fasteners extend through the one or more lock casing holes, through the one or more cover holes and into the cover sleeves.

22. A flush bolt according to claim 1, wherein the one or more first cover(s) includes a ferromagnetic connector(s) adapted to co-operate with a magnet(s) on the body to secure the one or more first cover(s) to the body.

23. A flush bolt according to claim 1, wherein the one or more first cover(s) include a magnet(s) adapted to co-operate with a ferromagnetic material of the fastener(s) to secure the one or more first cover(s) to the body. Austral Lock Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON