AU2016201008A1

AU2016201008A1 - A spindle for use with a latch assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2016201008A1
Application number: AU2016201008A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stuart G. Harwood
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-02-18
Publication date: 2016-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-18
Also published as: AU2016201008B2

Abstract

This invention relates to an adjustable spindle 24 for interaction between outer door furniture 2, inner door furniture 3 and a latch assembly 4. The spindle including a first member 29, a second member 30 and a biasing means 36 for urging the first member 29 relative to the second member 30 towards an extended condition. 34 37 FIG 3347

Description

A SPINDLE FOR USE WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY

[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable spindle for use with a latchset assembly, and a latchset assembly including such a spindle and a method of installing a latchset to a door. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to a latchset having a tubular latch assembly however it is to be appreciated that the spindle may be suitable for use with other forms of latch assemblies that include mortice lock assemblies.

[0002] A latchset for mounting to a door will generally include a latch assembly for mounting to a side edge of the door, with inner furniture and outer furniture for mounting to an inner side and an outer side of the door respectively. The latch assembly will generally include a housing, and a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position. The latch assembly may include a hub that is rotatable about an axis to adjust the bolt. The door furniture will generally include some form of handle, or turn knob, forming part of an actuator that is rotated by the user. Each actuator is generally connected to the hub by way of a spindle so as to allow the user to adjust the bolt from the inner side or outer side of the door.

[0003] The hub of the latch assembly will generally include a square shaped bore through with the spindle extends. The inner actuator and the outer actuator can be formed with a square shaped blind bore to accommodate opposed ends of the spindle. The spacing of the blind bores of the actuators to the bore of the latch assembly will be related to the thickness of the door. It is the responsibility of the person installing the latchset to select a spindle of appropriate length when purchasing the latchset. Alternatively the installer will cut down the spindle to suit the required length. Both of these options have their draw backs. The first option requires the locksmith to stock a wider range of spindles having different lengths, while the second option requires causes the installer to spend more time installing the latchset.

[0004] A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

[0005] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an adjustable spindle for use with a door latchset assembly to be mounted to a door, the latchset assembly having an outer actuator and an inner actuator each rotatable about an axis from an inner side and an outer side of the door respectively, and a latch assembly with a housing and a bolt that is movable relative to the housing on rotation of either the inner actuator or outer actuator, the spindle including a first member for interacting with the inner actuator, a second member for interacting with the outer actuator, the first member being movable relative to the second member so that the spindle can adjust between an extended condition and a retracted condition, and a biasing means urging the first member relative to the second member towards the extended condition.

[0006] The adjustable spindle preferably includes a stop for preventing movement of the first member relative to the second member beyond the extended condition and the retracted condition. The stop may take any form and one suitable form includes a stop member associated with the first member, while the second member includes an extended abutment and a retracted abutment which is engaged by the stop member when the spindle adopts the extended condition and retracted condition respectively. The first member may also include a bore to accommodate the stop member, whereby the stop member projects out at least one side of the first member, however it is preferred that the stop member projects out both sides of the first member. The second member preferably includes at least one slot defined in part by the extended abutment and the retracted abutment. The stop member may be formed integrally with the first member however it is preferred that the stop member may be formed separately of the first member as this simplifies assembly of the spindle. It is further preferred that the stop member interacts with the first member and the second member so that rotation of the first member causes rotation of the second member by way of the stop member.

[0007] The second member may include a cavity for accommodating a shaft portion of the first member. The cavity may take any suitable form and one for includes a longitudinally extending bore which has a length greater than that of the shaft portion. The longitudinally extending bore may also accommodate the biasing means at a blind end thereof. Alternatively the biasing mean may be located elsewhere, such as between the head of the first member and the second member, however it is preferred that one end of the biasing means abuts a free end of the shaft portion. The shaft is preferably of a shape that is complimentary to a shape of the bore. The shape of the shaft and the bore may be any suitable shape however it is preferred that they are cylindrical.

[0008] According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a door latchset assembly for mounting to a door having an outer actuator and an inner actuator each rotatable about an axis from an inner side and an outer side of the door respectively, a spindle as herein before defined that interacts with the inner actuator and outer actuator so as to rotate therewith, and a latch assembly with a housing and a bolt that interacts with the spindle so as to move relative to the housing on rotation of either the inner actuator or outer actuator.

[0009] According to further still another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of installing a door latchset to a door including, providing outer door furniture for positioning adjacent an outer side of the door, providing inner door furniture for positioning adjacent an inner side of the door, providing a latch assembly for locating at an edge of the door, providing an adjustable spindle for interaction with the outer door furniture, the inner door furniture and the latch assembly, the spindle having an outer end and an inner end with a length between the outer end and inner end which is adjustable, inserting the spindle through the latch assembly, engaging the outer end of the spindle with the outer door furniture, engaging the inner end of the spindle with the inner door furniture, fastening the inner door furniture to the outer door furniture which reduces the length of the spindle.

[0010] The method may also include providing screw fasteners for fastening the inner door furniture to the outer door furniture, wherein said fastening step includes clamping the door between the inner door furniture and the outer door furniture. The method may also include cutting a spindle opening between the outer side of the door and the inner side of the door, cutting a latch opening from the side edge of the door to the spindle opening, locating the latch assembly in the latch opening to locate in the spindle opening, and an inserting the spindle through the spindle opening. The method may also include providing a biasing means for urging the outer end of the spindle away from the inner end of the spindle. The method may also include providing a stop for preventing movement of the outer end of the spindle relative to the inner end of the spindle beyond an extended condition and a retracted condition.

[0011] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the attached illustrations which show a preferred embodiment of this invention. The particularity of those drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the proceeding definition of the invention.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the latchset according to one aspect of the invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a spindle according to another aspect of the invention from Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the spindle from Figure 2 in an extended condition.

[0015] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the spindle from Figure 3 in a retracted condition.

[0016] Referring now to Figure 1 which illustrates in summary a door 1, outer door furniture 2 for location on an outer side of the door, inner door furniture 3 for location on an inner side of the door 1 and a latch assembly 4 for location at an edge of the door 1. Whilst the latch assembly 4 illustrated in Figure 1 is in the form of a tubular latch, the invention is also applicable to other form of mortice latch assemblies including lockable latch assemblies. Furthermore, the door furniture 2,3 may vary (from that illustrated in Figure 1) to suit the form of latch assembly installed more specifically whilst Figure 1 illustrates the inner door furniture 3 including a lock mechanism 5, this is merely one preferred embodiment of door furniture suitable for the invention. The lock mechanism may be incorporated with the latch assembly 4, in which case the door furniture would be different.

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a cylindrical bore 6, hereinafter latch bore 7, formed at this side edge of the door 1. A larger cylindrical bore 7, hereinafter spindle bore 7, is formed from an outer surface of the door 1 to an inner surface of the door 1. The latch bore 6 extends from the side edge of the door 1 to the spindle bore 7 and may be formed by the installer by any appropriate means. Figure 1 also illustrates the door 1 having an upper opening 8 which accommodates a snib mechanism 9 of the inner door furniture 3 and a lower opening 10 which accommodates the lock mechanism 5 of the inner door furniture 3. The manner in which the snib mechanism 9 and lock mechanism 5 operate do not form part of this invention, and the invention may apply to other forms of lockable latchsets different to the one as illustrated.

[0018] The door 1 illustrated in Figure 1 also includes a pair of fastener holes 11 which may be formed by the installer for receiving a pair of upper screw fasteners 12 associated with the inner door furniture 3. A pair of lower screw fasteners 13 extend through the lower opening 10 in the door 1 formed for the lock mechanism 5. Each of the screw fasteners 12, 13 locate within posts 14 associated with the outer door 2 furniture so as to enable the door 1 to be clamped between the outer door furniture 2 and the inner door furniture 3.

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates the outer door furniture 2 including an outer furniture plate 15, and the inner door furniture 3 including a similar inner furniture plate 16. The inner door furniture 3 also includes an inner actuator 17 which includes an inner handle 18 and an inner hub 19. The outer door furniture 2 also includes an outer actuator 20 including an outer handle 21, and an outer hub (now shown). The inner hub 19 and outer hub are each rotatable about a spindle axis X-X on rotation of the inner handle 18 and outer handle 21 respectively. Whilst the inner actuator 17 and outer actuator 20 are described as being formed by the combination of a handle 18, 21 and hub 19, each actuator 17, 20 may alternatively be formed as a unitary component, i.e. the handle 18, 21 only.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates the inner hub 19 being formed with a square shaped bore 22. The outer hub is to be understood as being formed with a similarly shaped bore. The shape of the bore 22 is configured to receive an inner end 23 of the spindle 24, whilst the square shaped bore of the outer hub is configured to receive an outer end 25 of the spindle 24.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates the latch assembly 4 having a housing 26 with a latch bolt 27 which is capable of being moved relative to the housing 26 between a latched condition as illustrated and a release condition (not shown). The latch assembly 4 also includes a hub 28 which is rotatable relative to the housing 26 for causing movement of the latch bolt 27. The hub 28 is formed with a square shaped bore for accommodating the spindle 24 when the latchset (incorporating the outer door furniture 2 the door furniture 3 and the latch assembly 4) is assembled to the door 1. Naturally the shape of the bore in the hub 28 may vary to suit the shape of the spindle 24.

[0022] The spindle 24 illustrated in Figure 1 is adjustable in its length to accommodate doors 1 of a range of thicknesses. The spindle 24 is illustrated in an extended condition in Figure 1, however the length of the spindle 24 can be reduced from that as illustrated. Figure 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the spindle as including a first member 29 and a second member 30. The first member 29 illustrated includes a head portion 31, and a shaft portion 32 extending from the head portion 31. The head portion 31 forms the outer end 25 of the spindle 24 which is configured to interact with the outer actuator.

[0023] The shaft portion 32 is formed with a transverse bore 33 at a distal end thereof for accommodating a pin 34 when the spindle 24 is assembled. The pin 34 acts as a stop member which interacts with the second member 30 as hereinafter described. The second member 20 illustrated in Figure 2 is formed with a longitudinally extending cavity 35 which accommodates at least the shaft portion 32. The cavity 35 is formed as a blind cavity and also accommodates a biasing means 36 of the spindle 24. The preferred form of biasing means 36 illustrated in Figure 2 is in the form of a compression spring, however this may vary. The compression spring acts between a blind end (not shown) of the cavity 35 and the distal end of the shaft portion 32.

[0024] The second member 30 illustrated in Figure 2 is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 37 on one side thereof. It is preferred that a corresponding slot (now shown) is also formed on the opposed side of the second member 30. It can be appreciated from Figure 3 that when the spindle 24 is assembled, the stop member 34 locates within the slot 37 formed in the second member 30. The slot is defined in part by an extended abutment 38 and a retracted abutment 39 with Figure 3 illustrating the stop member 34 engaging the extended abutment 38. Figure 4 illustrates the stop member 34 engaging the retracted abutment 38. The extended abutment 38 and retracted abutment 39 limit movement of the stop member 34, and therefore movement of the first member 29 relative to the second member 30 between the extended condition as illustrated in Figure 3 in the retracted condition as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0025] It ought to be also appreciated that the stop member 34 interacts with the slot 37 so that rotation of the first member 29 about the spindle axis X-X will cause rotation of the second member 30, to therefore cause rotation of the hub 28 of a latch assembly 4, (see Figure 1).

[0026] Whilst the spindle 24 has been hereinbefore described with the first member 29 engaging the outer actuator 20 and the second member 30 engaging the inner actuator 17, the orientation of the spindle 24 may be reversed so that the first member 29 engages the inner actuator 17 and the second member 30 engages the outer actuator 20.

[0027] It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing that the spindle 24 as hereinbefore described provides a relatively simple alternative for the installer over existing spindles 24, particularly over a range of door thicknesses.

[0028] Various alterations and/or additions may be introduced into the spindle 24 and latchset 2, 3, 4 as hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An adjustable spindle for use with a door latchset assembly to be mounted to a door, the latchset assembly having an outer actuator and an inner actuator each rotatable about an axis from an inner side and an outer side of the door respectively, and a latch assembly with a housing and a bolt that is movable relative to the housing on rotation of either the inner actuator or outer actuator, the spindle including a first member for interacting with the outer actuator, a second member for interacting with the inner actuator, the first member being movable relative to the second member so that the spindle can adjust between an extended condition and a retracted condition, and a biasing means urging the first member relative to the second member towards the extended condition.
2. An adjustable spindle according to claim 1 including a stop for preventing movement of the first member relative to the second member beyond the extended condition and the retracted condition.
3. An adjustable spindle according to claim 2 wherein the stop includes a stop member associated with the first member, while the second member includes an extended abutment and a retracted abutment which is engaged by the stop member when the spindle adopts the extended condition and retracted condition respectively.
4. An adjustable spindle according to claim 3 wherein the first member includes a bore to accommodate the stop member, whereby the stop member projects out at least one side of the first member.
5. An adjustable spindle according to claim 4 wherein the stop member projects out both sides of the first member.
6. An adjustable spindle according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the second member includes at least one slot defined in part by the extended abutment and the retracted abutment.
7. An adjustable spindle according to claim 6 wherein the stop member is formed separately of the first member.
8. An adjustable spindle according to claim 7 wherein the stop member interacts with the first member and the second member so that rotation of the first member causes rotation of the second member by way of the stop member.
9. An adjustable spindle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second member includes a cavity for accommodating a shaft portion of the first member.
10. An adjustable spindle according to claim 9 wherein the cavity is a longitudinally extending bore which has a length greater than that of the shaft portion.
11. An adjustable spindle according to claim 10 wherein the longitudinally extending bore also accommodates the biasing means at a blind end thereof.
12. An adjustable spindle according to claim 11 wherein one end of the biasing means abuts a free end of the shaft portion.
13. An adjustable spindle according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the shaft has a shape that is complimentary and a shape of the bore.
14. An adjustable spindle according to claim 13 wherein the shape of the shaft and the bore are cylindrical.
15. A door latchset assembly for mounting to a door having an outer actuator and an inner actuator each rotatable about an axis from an inner side and an outer side of the door respectively, a spindle according to any one of claims 1 to 14 that interacts with the inner actuator and outer actuator so as to rotate therewith, and a latch assembly with a housing and a bolt that interacts with the spindle so as to move relative to the housing on rotation of either the inner actuator or outer actuator.
16. A method of installing a door latchset to a door including, providing outer door furniture for positioning adjacent an outer side of the door, providing inner door furniture for positioning adjacent an inner side of the door, providing a latch assembly for locating at an edge of the door, providing an adjustable spindle for interaction with the outer door furniture, the inner door furniture and the latch assembly, the spindle having an outer end and an inner end with a length between the outer end and inner end which is adjustable, inserting the spindle through the latch assembly, engaging the outer end of the spindle with the outer door furniture, engaging the inner end of the spindle with the inner door furniture, fastening the inner door furniture to the outer door furniture which reduces the length of the spindle.
17. A method according to claim 16 including providing screw fasteners for fastening the inner door furniture to the outer door furniture, wherein said fastening step includes clamping the door between the inner door furniture and the outer door furniture.
18. A method according to claim 16 or 17 including cutting a spindle opening between the outer side of the door and the inner side of the door, cutting a latch opening from the side edge of the door to the spindle opening, locating the latch assembly in the latch opening to locate in the spindle opening, and an inserting the spindle through the spindle opening.
19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 including providing a biasing means for urging the outer end of the spindle away from the inner end of the spindle.
20. A method according to claim 19 including providing a stop for preventing movement of the outer end of the spindle relative to the inner end of the spindle beyond an extended condition and a retracted condition.