AU2016203527A1

AU2016203527A1 - Door lock

Info

Publication number: AU2016203527A1
Application number: AU2016203527A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Julian Dunstan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-27
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2017-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-27
Also published as: AU2016203527B2

Abstract

Document3-27/05/2016 A catch component for a door lock including a housing adapted to be secured relative to a door frame and a cartridge supported by the housing, the cartridge holding a catch plate for 5 connection with a latch of the door lock, wherein the cartridge is moveable relative to the housing to align with the latch.

Description

DOOR LOCK

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a door lock for a sliding door and a latch and/or catch of the door lock.

Background of the Invention A door lock for a sliding door has a latch mounted on a sliding door and an aligned catch mounted to a jamb of a door frame. A pet door panel can be mounted between the jamb and the sliding door. The pet door panel includes a pet flap in a lower section and a height adjustable top section that slides up into an overhead track of the door frame.

To maintain the functionality of the door lock, the catch must be relocated onto a side of the pet door panel adjacent the sliding door.

The act of removing the catch and then re-mounting the catch on the pet door panel, requires skilled labour/costs/time and tools. The jamb may appear defaced or damaged once the catch has been removed.

After the door lock catch is transferred from the jamb on to the pet door panel, the pet door panel requires fixing to the sliding doorjamb. Fixing entails extra hardware (e.g., brackets, screws) that requires skills and tools/costs/time to fit. This process also defaces the sliding doorjamb and the pet door frame.

Defacement of the sliding door frame is particularly problematic for renters who are not able to modify or deface sliding doors in any way.

Fixing the pet door into the sliding door frame also prevents quick and easy removal of the pet door as tools/skills are needed to remove the pet door. To regain security, lock hardware has to be relocated from the pet door panel back to the sliding doorjamb.

The sliding door latch and catch are specifically designed to fit together and accurate positioning is required. If the pet door panel is removed from the door frame and used in a different location (e.g., laundry, main living area, different house), the associated door lock will likely be of a different type or configuration/height, requiring a newly mounted catch such that the pet door frame will appear damaged or defaced as a result of the original catch mounting. The original sliding door jamb/s will also be defaced when the pet door panel is removed and the subsequent jamb/s will also be defaced due to the need to fix the pet door panel in to the sliding doorjamb.

Summary of the Invention

In one embodiment, there is provided a catch component for a door lock including a housing adapted to be secured relative to a door frame and a cartridge supported by the housing, the cartridge holding a catch plate for connection with a latch of the door lock, wherein the cartridge is moveable relative to the housing to align with the latch.

In one embodiment, the catch component includes a rail for fixing onto the door frame and the housing is adapted to slide up and down the rail for height adjustment.

In one embodiment, the cartridge is moveable in and out of the housing, for horizontal adjustment of the catch position in a direction parallel to a sliding door fitted in the door frame.

In one embodiment, the cartridge is biased away from the housing, toward a horizontally extended position.

In one embodiment, one or more adjustment screws connect the cartridge and the housing.

In one embodiment, the catch plate is height adjustable within the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the catch plate includes an adjustment slot for receipt of fasteners that releasable secure the catch plate to the cartridge.

In one embodiment the cartridge is biased to allow horizontal retraction inside the housing.

In one embodiment, the catch plate includes one or more windows through which the latch passes in order to hook onto the catch plate.

Preferably, the one or more windows also accommodate anti-lift pins associated with the latch, which provide additional security by preventing the sliding door from being lifted out of the door frame.

In one embodiment, the one or more windows are at the ends of the catch plate.

In one embodiment, the catch plate is adapted to be removed from the cartridge and swapped for a replacement catch plate with an alternative window configuration to suit a different latch design, as required.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes two catch plates to engage with a latch component with dual latches.

In one embodiment, the cartridge includes an area that acts as an end of travel stop for a release/depress pin of the latch.

In one embodiment, the catch component is adapted to be mounted to the frame in a 180 degree rotated orientation, as required, in order for the cartridge to face the correct direction to engage the latch.

In one embodiment, the catch component includes shims inserted between the rail and the door frame, to vary the distance of the housing from the door frame.

In another aspect, there is provided a latch component including a casing with a latch that includes upper and lower pivot points and a hook to engage with an associated catch plate (e.g., on a sliding door jamb), wherein the casing has corresponding upper and lower mountings to which a respective one of the upper and lower pivot points is mounted.

In one embodiment, the latch is adapted to be removed from the casing, reversed and reinserted in the casing with the hook oriented in an opposite direction.

In one embodiment, the latch is mounted to a selected one of the associated mountings so as to pivot up or down, as required in order for the latch to engage the catch plate.

In one embodiment, the latch has additional upper and lower pivot points positioned toward a front side of the latch to enable the latch to be horizontally adjusted in or out of the casing depending on which pivot point is selected to attach to the corresponding mounting.

In one embodiment, the mountings each have a boss selectively screwed in or out of the casing to provide a pivot for the latch, as required.

In one embodiment, the mountings project through a guide slot in the casing to allow height adjustment of the latch.

In one embodiment, the latch component includes two latches mounted one above the other for connection with associated catch plates of a catch component (e.g., mounted on a sliding doorjamb).

In one embodiment, the latch component includes a rail to secure the latch component to a door frame, the casing being height adjustable by sliding along the rail.

In one embodiment, the latch component includes shims between the rail and the door frame, to vary the distance of the casing from the door frame.

In another aspect, there is provided an insert panel for fixing between a door jamb and a sliding door of a door system, including a latch component, as described above, fitted to one side of the panel, for connecting with an existing catch mounted to a jamb of the door system and a catch component, as described above, fitted to an opposite side of the panel, for connection to an existing latch of the door system.

In one embodiment, a brace bar provides a mechanical bridge between the latch component and catch component in order to provide structural integration and enhanced strength to the system.

In another aspect, there is provided a lock including at least one of the above described catch or latch components.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention is described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a catch component;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of another catch component;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a latch component;

Figure 3A is an perspective view of a latch;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of another latch component;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a door system with the catch component of Figure 1 and the latch component Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a front view of the system of Figure 1 and show the range of adjustment in the latch and catch components;

Figure 7 is a front view of a door system with the catch component of Figure 2 and the latch component of Figure 4;

Figure 8 illustrates adjustment of the catch and latch components of Figure 7;

Figure 9 illustrates operation of the catch component and a door handle;

Figure 10 shows is an image of the door lock used in the system of Figures 7 to 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative form of catch plate for the catch system in Figure 2; and

Figure 12 shows a screw-less brace bar design.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a catch component 1 which includes an elongate housing 2 and a cartridge 3 with a main face 4 and a blade 5 which is received in a corresponding elongate aperture 6 in the housing 2.

The cartridge 3 is biased away from the housing 2 toward a horizontally extended position by springs 7. Adjustment screws 8 pass though openings 9 in the face 4 of the cartridge 3 and into receiving holes 10 in the housing 2.

The screws have a shank 11 arranged coaxially with the springs 7. The cartridge 3 can be wound into and out of the housing 2 by turning the adjustment screws 8 so that the blade 5 travels in and out through the elongate aperture 6 to enable the cartridge 3 to be horizontally adjustable relative to the housing 2.

The face 4 includes two windows 12 either side of a central tab 13. A catch plate 14 is fixed to the rear 15 of the tab 13 by a rivet 16. Windows 12 are also designed to accommodate anti-lift pins in single hook lock designs.

The housing 2 has an elongate channel 17 that allows the catch component 1 to slide up and down a rail (not shown) for height adjustment. Fasteners 18 are used to lock the housing to the rail.

Figure 2 shows another catch component 20 generally similar to the catch component 1 shown in Figure 1 and like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

The catch component 20 includes a housing 2 with a height adjustment channel 17 and fasteners 18 to fix the catch component 20 at a selected height.

The cartridge 3 is able to slide in and out of elongate aperture 6 in a similar manner to Figure 1 to provide horizontal adjustment.

The elongate aperture 6 includes rebates 21 that accommodate fasteners 22 and 28 mounted in the cartridge 3. The cartridge 3 carries two catch plates 24 that are inserted through openings 25. The catch plates 24 have a side arm 26 with vertical adjustment slots 27. The catch plates 24 are able to be vertically positioned and then fixed in place by the fasteners 22 and nuts 28.

In the arrangement shown, a window 12 is provided at an opposite end 29 of each catch plate 24. In use, a latch passes through the window 12 and then hooks onto the catch plate 24 from behind. The catch plates 24 are configured to engage a latch (not shown) that has dual hooks that engage by pivoting inwardly. In an alternative arrangement, the catch plates 24 can be swapped for an alternate configured catch plates (such as catch plate 87 shown in Figure 11) so that the windows 12 are adjacent, for engaging a latch with dual hooks that are outwardly pivoting.

Figure 3 shows a latch component 30 with a casing 31, a height adjustment channel 32, and a elongate slot 33 in which a latch 34 is mounted to a boss 35 of one of the mountings 36 so as to pivot about an upper or lower pivot point 37, 38. The mountings 36 are in the form of thumbscrews 39 and the relevant pivot point 37, 38 is selected by screwing one of the thumbscrews 39 into the casing 31 into threaded holes 86 such that associated boss 35 passes through the latch pivot point 37, 38.

When mounted in the casing 31, a hook 40 of the latch 34 is angled downwardly. The latch 34 can be pivoted into an engaged position by gripping a lever 41 and rotating the latch 34 about a selected one of the pivot points 37, 38 and down into engagement with a corresponding catch plate.

In the event the latch 34 needs to engage a catch plate from below, the latch 34 can be removed from the casing 31, inverted, and remounted to pivot upward into engagement, when required.

Once engaged, the other mounting 36 can be screwed in to lock the latch 34 against release.

As such, the latch component 30 provides adjustability in so far as the casing 31 can be height adjusted along the channel 32 and the latch 34 can be fixed in place with the hook 40 configured to pivot in either an upward or a downward direction to suit prior to being locked in position. All latch(es) 34 can also be inserted and rotated 180 degrees so that the hook 40 can protrude through the left or right side of casing 31 so as to suit left or right opening sliding doors and associated lock configurations.

Figure 3A illustrates a latch 42 in which additional upper and lower pivot points 43, 44 are provided toward a front side 45 of the latch 42 to enable the latch 42 to be horizontally adjusted in or out of the casing 31 depending on which pivot point 43, 44 is selected to attach to the corresponding mounting. As noted, latch/es 34 can also be rotated 180 degrees for left or right side lock configurations.

Figure 4 shows another latch component 50, in which like parts to those described with reference to Figure 3 are designated by like reference numbers.

The latch component 50 is provided with dual latches 34 for additional security featured door locks (e.g., twin latch designs). The latches 34 each have associated pivot points 37, 38 arranged to be carried by a respective mounting 36. In this case, the mountings 36 are in the form of adjustment screws 51 that pass through elongate apertures 52 and into a backing plate 53 to fix the height position of the latch 34 relative to the casing 31.

The latches 34 are designed to engage with an associated catch by pivoting outwardly. As with the latch component 30 of Figure 3, the latches 34 can be removed and inverted to pivot inwardly, if required.

Figure 5 illustrates the catch component 1 and the latch component 30 fitted to a frame 54, on opposite sides 55 of a pet door panel inert 56, to engage with existing door hardware in the form of a latch 57 and a catch 58.

The catch component 1 is the same as that shown in Figure 1, mounted to a rail 59 attached to the frame 54 to allow height adjustment to match the latch 57. Shims can be fitted under the rail to vary the distance of the catch component 1 from the frame 54. The cartridge 3 is shown in an extended position.

As such, the catch plate is able to be aligned with a single hook 60 of the latch 57, without the need to remove or move the existing catch 58 from sliding doorjamb 73 on to the pet door frame or bracket/s (not shown) in order to lock the latch on the sliding glass door to the pet door.

The latch component 30 is the same as that described with reference to Figure 3. The latch component 30 is likewise mounted on a rail 62 that allows height adjustment of the casing 31 relative to the frame 54. Shims (not shown) can be used to distance the casing 31 from the door frame 54, as required. The position of the latch 34 can thereby be adjusted to match the position of the catch 58.

As a result, the existing catch 58 does not need to be removed from door jamb 73 as the latch component 30 is adjusted to meet the position of the catch 58. The use of brackets/hardware and subsequent defacement to secure the pet door panel in to the sliding door jamb is also no longer needed because latch component 30 secures the pet door via existing lock hardware catch 58.

With reference to Figure 6, the degree of adjustability of the latch and catch components 1, 30 is shown in more detail.

The catch component 1 can be adjusted vertically along the rail 59, in a direction indicated by arrow 64. The depth setting of the catch component 1 can be adjusted in a manner indicated by arrow 65, by the addition or removal of shims (not shown) and the cartridge 3 can be horizontally adjusted by moving in and out of the housing 2, as indicated by arrow 77. This allows the catch component 1 to adjust to meet locks of varied recess distances on the sliding door frame and it can also adjust to accommodate door jamb accessories that can be added on to the side of the pet door (such as disclosed in, for example, Australian Patent Application AU2016100396).

Similarly, the latch component 30 can be moved vertically on the rail 62, in a direction indicated by arrow 64. The distance of latch component 30 from the frame 54 can also be adjusted using shims (not shown) as highlighted by arrow 65. The latch 34 can be inverted so that the hook can pivot either up or down, as required as shown by arrows 84. It can also be rotated 180 degrees for left or right protrusion as indicated by arrow 66, so that the cartridge faces the correct direction to suit left or right opening lock configurations. The hook from latch component 34 is horizontally adjustable within the latch component 30 as indicated by arrow 66 using an adjustable latch as seen in Figure 3A.

Figure 7 shows the catch component 20 of Figure 2 and the latch component 50 of Figure 4 in a door system 70 that includes a sliding door 71 and a pet door panel insert 72 between the sliding door 71 and a doorjamb 73. The catch component 20 is arranged to engage the existing latch 74 while the latch component 50 engages the existing catch 75.

With reference to Figure 8, the various degrees of adjustment are shown by arrow 76 to indicate the internal height adjustment of the catch plates, arrow 77 to indicate the horizontal adjustment of the cartridge 3 in and out of the housing 2, and arrow 78 to indicate the height adjustment of the housing 2 along the rail 59. Again, shims may be used to space the housing 2 away from the insert 72, as indicated by arrow 65.

As such, the catch component 20 is fully adjustable to align with the dual inwardly directed hooks 79 of the latch 74. If the hooks 79 were outwardly facing, the catch plate pair for outwardly facing locks 87 (refer Figure 11) can instead be mounted to the cartridge 3.

The arrows 80, 81 associated with the latch component 50 indicate the latches are able to be adjusted in or out of the casing 31 if the latches 42 of Figure 3 A are used and depending on which pivot point is selected to mount the latches 42. The latches 42 can be adjusted vertically, independent to the vertical height position of casing 31 on rail 62, as indicated by the vertical arrows in arrow 82 by using the adjustment screws 51. The latches 42 are able to be inserted through the opposite side of casing 31 so that hooks protrude through the left side of casing 31 as indicated by the horizontal arrows in arrow 82. As such, the latch component 50 can be mounted on either rail 59 or 62 and lock to a sliding door jamb that is either on the left or right side of the pet door panel.

Arrow 83 indicates the entire casing 31 is height adjustable as a result of the casing 31 being able to move along the rail 62. The latches 42 can also be reversed so that the respective hooks 40 are directed outwardly, instead of inwardly as required, as indicated by arrows 84.

Brace bar 86 can be fitted in to the top of rail 59 and 62 in order to shift horizontal force in an unwanted entry attempt directly on to the lock components of both the sliding door and pet door panel, rather than subject the pet door panel vertical frame 54 to horizontal force. The brace bar 86 thereby provides a mechanical bridge between the latch component and catch component in order to provide structural integration and enhanced strength to the system.

The brace bar 86 preferably has screw-less integration with the rails as seen in Figure 12 or alternatively has concealed screws mounting the bar to the rails 59, 62.

Turning now to Figure 9, the catch component 20 is shown (pre-coated) mounted to the pet door insert 72 in alignment with the existing door latch 74 attached to the sliding door 71. The cartridge 3 and catch plates 24 are positioned to receive the inwardly directed dual hooks 79 of the latch 74. In this case, the latch 74 includes a depress/release pin 85 that needs to be pushed in by abutment with an area of the catch component 20, such that the cartridge forms an end of travel stop, in order for the hooks 79 to be able to pivot inwardly to engage the catch plates 24. Catch plates 24 are designed to include depress pin areas in the correct positions for a variety of lock configurations. Depress pin areas are essential because without them, the latches would not release and thus the sliding door would not lock to the pet door panel.

The depress/release pin 85 ensures the hooks 79 cannot be accidentally damaged by being pivoted into a locked condition and closed against the catch component 20. In any case, however, the spring bias of the cartridge 3 inside the housing 2 acts as an anti-slam mechanism because it prevents hooks 79 from being damaged/impacted if the door is slammed with the hook/s in the released position (i.e., in both single and multiple hook designed locks).

Figure 10 shows the catch component 20 (pre-coated) and latch component 50 (pre-coated) installed on a pet door panel insert 72. As may be appreciated, the components 20, 50 are aesthetically quite unobtrusive and fully adjusted to match the existing door catch 75 and latch 74, without needing to separately fix the insert 72 to the jamb 73 or move the catch 75 onto the panel insert 72, as was the practice with the prior art.

It should also be appreciated that the pet door panel insert 72 can be easily removed by simply opening the sliding door 71 and loosening the relevant pivot locking screw 36 to allow pivot release of the latch component 50 from the existing catch 75. The pet door panel insert 72 is then able to be re-used. The adjustability of the catch and latch components 20, 50 allows the pet door panel insert 72 to be readily locked into a new door system, without requiring modification of the new door system either and without damage or defacement to either the door system or the pet door panel frame nor with the need for specialised handy skill/tools/costs.

Although the catch component and latch component have been described as both being used with a pet door panel, the invention also encompasses the independent use of only one of those components. In that regard, the invention also relates to any form of lock that has either one of the latch or catch components.

Many other variations and modification can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described invention. For example, different adjustment mechanisms may be used such as a threaded bar or sliding clamps could be used for height adjusting the latch and catch components.

To simplify construction, one of the adjustment directions may be removed by mounting one or both components in a fixed position such as by using screws, although screw-less attachment is preferred as the frame or jamb may otherwise be defaced. Additionally or alternatively, the vertical adjustment of the catches might be sacrificed if considered appropriate by not providing vertical adjustment slots in the catch plates.

By way of further variation, the latch component may have a spring loaded or other form of latch or latches instead of one that rotates on mounting screws. In relation to the latch adjustment, an alternative adjustable latch mechanism could be used (e.g., a ratchet system) that can extend the latch horizontally for fine adjustment rather than using the offset holes, although use of offset holes provides a much cheaper adjustment option which is easier to manufacture and self-assemble due to ease of left-right and up-down rotational capacity.

Claims

The Claims

1. A catch component for a door lock including a housing adapted to be secured relative to a door frame and a cartridge supported by the housing, the cartridge holding a catch plate for connection with a latch of the door lock, wherein the cartridge is moveable relative to the housing to align with the latch.
2. The catch component of claim 1 further including a rail for fixing onto the door frame and the housing is adapted to slide up and down the rail for height adjustment.
3. The catch component of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is moveable in and out of the housing, for horizontal adjustment of the catch position in a direction parallel to a sliding door fitted in the door frame.
4. The catch component of claim 3, wherein the cartridge is biased away from the housing, toward a horizontally extended position.
5. The catch component of claim 4, wherein an adjustment screw connects the cartridge and the housing.
6. The catch component of claim 1, wherein the catch plate is height adjustable within the cartridge.
7. The catch component of claim 6, wherein the catch plate includes a adjustment slot for receipt of fasteners that releasable secure the catch plate to the cartridge.
8. The catch component of claim 6, wherein the catch plate includes one or more windows through with the latch passes in order to hook onto the catch plate.
9. The catch component of claim 8, wherein the one or more windows also accommodate anti-lift pins associated with the latch, which provide additional security by preventing the latch from being lifted out of the catch plate (i.e., sliding door lifted out of the sliding door frame in an unwanted entry attempt).
10. The catch component of claim 9, wherein the one or more windows are at the ends of the catch plate.
11. The catch component of claim 10, wherein the catch plate is adapted to be removed from the cartridge and swapped for a replacement catch plate with an alternative window configuration to suit a different latch design, as required.
12. The catch component of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes an area that acts as an end of travel stop for a release/depress pin of the latch.
13. The catch component of claim 1, wherein the catch component is adapted to be mounted to the frame in a 180 degree rotated orientation, as required, in order for the cartridge to face the correct direction to engage the latch.
14. The catch component of claim 1, further including shims between the rail and the door frame, to vary the distance of the housing from the door frame.
15. A latch component including a casing with a latch that includes upper and lower pivot points and a hook to engage with an associated catch plate, wherein the casing has corresponding upper and lower mountings to which a respective one of the upper and lower pivot points is mounted.
16. The latch component of claim 15, wherein the latch is adapted to be removed from the casing, reversed and reinserted in the casing with the hook oriented in an opposite direction.
17. The latch component of claim 16, wherein the latch is mounted to a selected one of the associated mountings so as to pivot up or down, as required in order for the latch to engage the catch plate, while the other mounting is used to lock the latch in an engaged condition.
18. The latch component of claim 17, wherein the latch has additional upper and lower pivot points positioned toward a front or rear side of the latch to enable the latch to be horizontally adjusted in or out of the casing depending on which pivot point is selected to attach to the corresponding mounting.
19. The latch component of claim 15, wherein the mountings each have a boss selectively screwed in or out of the casing to provide a pivot for the latch, as required.
20. The latch component of claim 15, wherein the mountings project through a guide slot in the casing to allow height adjustment of the latch.
21. The latch component of claim 15, wherein the latch component includes two latches mounted one above the other for connection with associated catch plates of a catch component.
22. The latch component of claim 15, wherein the latch component includes a rail to secure the latch component to a door frame, the casing being height adjustable by sliding along the rail.
23. The latch component of claim 22, further including shims between the rail and the door frame, to vary the distance of the casing from the door frame.
24. An insert panel for fixing between a doorjamb and a sliding door of a door system, including the catch component of claim 1, fitted to one side of the panel, for connecting with an existing catch mounted to a jamb of the door system and the latch component of claim 15, fitted to an opposite side of the panel, for connection to an existing latch of the door system.
25. The insert panel of claim 24, further including a brace bar that provides a mechanical bridge between the latch component and catch component in order to provide structural integration and enhanced strength to the system.
26. A lock including at least one of the catch component of claim 1 or latch component of claim 15.