AU2017201618B2

AU2017201618B2 - A lock assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2017201618B2
Application number: AU2017201618A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Harris Lambrou; Sajan Velandi
Original assignee: Allegion Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Allegion Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-26
Filing date: 2017-03-09
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-09
Also published as: AU2017201618A1

Abstract

A LOCK ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT A lock assembly (30) including a body (34), a bolt (36), a left hub (38), a right hub (44), a snib mechanism (52) and a snib selector (54). The bolt (36) is mounted to the body (34) for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The left hub (38) is adapted to interact with a left handle (40). The right hub (44) is adapted to interact with a right handle (46). The snib mechanism (52) is mounted to the body (34). The snib selector (54) has an outer end (54a) and an inner end (54b). The outer end (54a) protrudes from the lock body (34) for activation by a user. The inner end (54b) is engagable with the snib mechanism (52) from either the left side or the right side. Engaging the inner end of the snib selector (54) from the left side places the right side of the lock assembly (30) in privacy mode. Engaging the inner end of the snib selector (54) from the right side places the left side of the lock assembly (30) in privacy mode. Not engaging the inner end of the snib selector (54) from either the left side or the right side places the lock assembly (30) in passage mode. 117 e-%J cclJ CD' U- -

Description

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Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock assembly. The invention has been primarily developed for use as a privacy latch and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Privacy latches are known and are commonly used in doors that need to be locked from the inside only, such as bathrooms and toilets. Privacy latches have an inside snib which is used to lock the door from the inside. Turning the inside door handle releases the snib and unlocks the door. Most privacy latches also incorporate some type of emergency unlocking device operable from the outside.

[0003] Privacy latches must be 'handed' before installation to ensure that they are only lockable from the inside. There are currently two main known types of handing mechanisms.

[0004] The first handing mechanism has a rotatable latch bolt which can be rotated before installation to allow the inside part of the latch, which has the snib, to be positioned on the inside of the door. In this arrangement, the snib only has two positions, lock and unlocked. The disadvantages of this mechanism are that a secondary spring is needed to accommodate the rotatable bolt, which in turn requires a second face plate. The second face plate requires an increase in the depth of the cut-out on the door, resulting in a privacy latch having a different installation to a (more common) passage latch. This can lead to installation problems and thus subsequent usage problems.

[0005] The second known handing mechanism has a fixed bolt direction and a snib that can be installed from either side. The latch can be placed in one of three positions, namely: locking a left side, both sides unlocked or locking a right side. Prior to installation, a stop, in the form of a circlip, must be positioned on one side of the latch, which limit its movement to either between locking the left side and both sides unlocked or to between locking the right side and both sides unlocked. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that it will not function correctly if the circlip is either not installed or not installed correctly, which is common.

Object of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

Summary of Invention

[0007] A lock assembly including: a body; a bolt mounted to the body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position; a left hub adapted to interact with a left handle; a right hub adapted to interact with a right handle; a snib mechanism mounted to the body; a snib selector with an outer end and an inner end, the outer end protruding from the lock body for activation by a user, the inner end being engagable with the snib mechanism from either a left side or a right side, whereby: engaging the inner end of the snib selector from the left side places the right side of the lock assembly in privacy mode; engaging the inner end of the snib selector from the right side places the left side of the lock assembly in privacy mode; and not engaging the inner end of the snib selector from either the left side or the right side places the lock assembly in passage mode.

[0008] The snib mechanism is preferably mounted for movement relative to the body between first, second and third positions, wherein: the left hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the first position; neither the left hub or the right hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the second position; and the right hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the third position.

[0009] The inner end of the snib selector preferably threadably engages with the snib mechanism.

[0010] The snib mechanism includes a shuttle part and: engaging the snib selector from the right side brings the snib selector inner end into abutment with the shuttle part and drives the shuttle part to a left position in which the shuttle part limits the movement of the snib mechanism to only between the first and the second positions; and engaging the snib selector from the left side brings the snib selector inner end into abutment with the shuttle part and drives the shuttle part to a right position in which the shuttle part limits the movement of the snib mechanism to only between the third and the second positions.

[0011] The snib mechanism includes a snib body with a bolt protuberance and a hub protuberance. The bolt is adapted to interact with the bolt protuberance to, when driven towards the retracted position, drive the snib mechanism to the second position from the first position or to the second position from the third position.

[0012] The hub protuberance is adapted to engage with, and prevent movement of, the left hub when the snib mechanism is in the first position and engage with, and prevent movement of, the right hub when the snib mechanism is in the third position.

[0013] The snib mechanism preferably includes a detent assembly settable in left, middle and right positions, wherein: the snib assembly can move between the first and second positions when the detent assembly is in the left setting; the snib assembly can move between the first, second and third positions when the detent assembly is in the middle setting; and the snib assembly can move between the second and third positions when the detent assembly is in the right setting.

[0014] The snib selector preferably interacts with the detent assembly such that: engaging the snib selector from the right side sets the detent assembly in the left position; and engaging the snib selector from the left side sets the detent assembly in the right position.

[0015] The lock assembly preferably includes: a left handle on a left side of the body; and a right handle on a right side of the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a lock assembly;

[0018] Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional top view along line A-A of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1, with the snib assembly in a first position;

[0019] Fig. 3 is a further enlarged partial cross sectional top view of region B of Fig. 2;

[0020] Fig. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a lock assembly;

[0021] Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional top view along line A-A of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 4, with the snib assembly in a second position;

[0022] Fig. 6 is a further enlarged partial cross sectional top view of region B of Fig. 5;

[0023] Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a lock assembly;

[0024] Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional top view along line A-A of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 7, with the snib assembly in a second position;

[0025] Fig. 9 is a further enlarged partial cross sectional top view of region B of Fig. 8;

[0026] Fig. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a lock assembly, with the snib assembly in a third position;

[0027] Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional top view along line A-A of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 10, with the snib assembly in a third position;

[0028] Fig. 12 is a further enlarged partial cross sectional top view of region B of Fig. 11;

[0029] Fig. 13 is a top view of an embodiment of a lock assembly;

[0030] Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional side view along line A-A of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1, with the snib assembly in a locking position;

[0031] Fig. 15 is a further enlarged partial cross sectional side view of region B of Fig. 2;

[0032] Fig. 16 is a top view of the snib assembly used in the embodiment of locking assembly mentioned above, in the first position;

[0033] Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the snib assembly shown in Fig. 16 along line A-A.

[0034] Fig. 18 is a top view of the snib assembly used in the embodiment of locking assembly mentioned above in the second position;

[0035] Fig. 19 is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the snib assembly shown in Fig. 18 along line B-B.

[0036] Fig. 20 is a top view of the snib assembly used in the embodiment of locking assembly mentioned above in the third position;

[0037] Fig. 21 is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the snib assembly shown in Fig. 20 along line C-C.

[0038] Fig. 22 is a top view of the snib assembly used in the embodiment of locking assembly mentioned above in the second position; and

[0039] Fig. 23 is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the snib assembly shown in Fig. 22 along line D-D.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a lock assembly 30 installed in a door 32. As best shown in Fig. 2, the lock assembly 30 has a body 34 and a bolt 36 mounted to the body 34 for movement between a retracted position and an extended position (as shown). The lock assembly also includes a left hub 38 which is connected to a left handle 40 by a left end 42a of a split spindle 42. The lock assembly also includes a right hub 44 which is connected to a right handle 46 by a right end 42b of the split spindle 42. As best shown in Fig. 3, the lock assembly 30 also includes a first spring 48 for handle return and a second spring 50 for biasing the bolt 36 towards the extended position.

[0041] The lock assembly 30 also includes a snib mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 52, mounted to the body 34 and a snib selector 54. The snib selector 54 has a (inner) distal end 54a and a (outer) proximal end 54b. The construction and operation of the snib mechanism 52 and snib selector 54 will now be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 23. As shown in Fig. 16, the snib mechanism 52 includes a snib body 56 with a bolt protuberance 58 and a hub protuberance 60. The snib mechanism 52 has a cylindrical slider 62 mounted therein with a left threaded end 62a and a right threaded end 62b. A shuttle part 64 is mounted within the slider 62, which has a left end 64a and a right end 64b. The slider 62 and the shuttle part 64 cooperate with a detent assembly, comprising a left ball 66, a right ball 68, a detent 70, a detent spring 72, a groove 74 and a shoulder 76.

[0042] When the snib selector 54 is not screwed into either end 62a or 62b of the slider 62, then both the left ball 66 and the right ball 68 are free to ride over the detent 70. This in turns allows the slider 62 to move freely between the left (first) position shown in Fig. 17, the central (second) position shown in Figs. 19 and 23 and the right (third) position shown in Fig. 21.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, when the snib selector 54 is screwed into the right end 62b of the slider 62, the distal end 54a of the snib selector 54 abuts the right end 64b of the shuttle part 64 and pushes it leftwards until it locates against the shoulder 76. This also pushes the right ball 68 into the groove 74. This restricts movement of the right ball 68 to only within the confines of the groove 74. As a result, the slider 62 can only move to the left until the right ball 68 is stopped at the left end of the groove 76, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, and can only move to the right until the right ball 68 is stopped at the right end of the groove 76, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19. The position shown in Figs. 16 and Figs. 17 is hereafter referred to as the first position and the position shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is hereafter referred to as the second position.

[0044] Figs. 20 to 23 show the snib selector 54 screwed into the left end 62a of the slider 62, pushing the shuttle part 64 rightwards. This results in a positioning of the left ball 60 within the groove 76, in a similar manner to that described above. This restricts the movement of the slider

62 between the position shown in Figs. 20 and 21, hereafter known as the third position, and the position shown in Figs. 22 and 23, which is the same as the second position shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

[0045] Returning now to Fig. 3, the hub selector 54 is shown inserted into the left hand end 62a of the slider 62, thereby limiting the movement of the snib mechanism 52 to only between the first position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and the second position shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

[0046] In the first position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the hub protuberance 60 engaged with the right hub 44 and prevents it from movement. This engagement is best shown in Figs. 13, 14 and , which shows the hub protuberance 60 engages within a recess 44a in the right hub 44. This prevents movement of the right hub 44 and prevents retraction of the bolt 36, and thus opening of the door 32, by the right handle 46.

[0047] The bolt 36 can however be retracted by turning the left handle 40, as this causes the left hub 38 to move the hub protuberance 60, and thus the snib mechanism 52, from the first position to the second position, allowing the door 32 to be opened. Accordingly, when the snib selector 54 is engaged from the left side, the right side of the lock assembly 30 is placed in privacy mode.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, when the slider 62 is in the second position, the hub protuberance 60 does not engage with either the left hub 38 or the right hand hub 44. The bolt 36 can thus be retracted by operating either of the handles 42 or 46.

[0049] Returning to Fig. 3, the distal end of the upper protuberance 58 has an angled surface 58a which matches an angled surface 36a at the rear of the bolt 36. If the snib selector 54 and other components are in the first position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the door 32 is closed, the engagement between outer end 36b of the bolt 36 and a strike plate (not shown) causes the bolt 36 to be driven inwardly and the angled surfaces 58a, 34a drive the bolt protuberance 58, and thus the snib mechanism 52, from the first position to the second position. In this way, it is not possible for the privacy function to be inadvertently engaged from inside before leaving a room and the room locked from the outside upon door closure.

[0050] Figs. 7, 8 and 9 shows the snib selector 54 engaged with the right hand end 62b of the slider 62 and in the second position similar to that previously described. In this second position, both the left handle 40 and right handle 46 can be used to retract the bolt 36.

[0051] Figs. 10 to 12 shows snib selector 54 engaged with the right hand end 62b of the slider 62 and the snib mechanism 52 in the third position. In this third position, the hub protuberance 60 locks the left hub 38, thereby preventing bolt retraction responsive to the left handle 40. Unlocking and bolt retraction responsive to the right handle 46 is still allowed, in a similar fashion to that previously described. Once again, if the door 32 is closed whilst the snib mechanism 52 is in the third position, the bolt retraction caused by the strike plate drives the snib mechanism 52 from the third position back to the second position, thereby allowing bolt retraction by either handle 40, 46.

[0052] In summary, when the snib selector 54 is engaged with snib mechanism 52 from the right side, it places the left side of the lock assembly 30 into privacy mode. When the snib selector 54 is engaged with the snib mechanism 52 from the left side, it places the right side of the lock assembly 30 into privacy mode. When the snib selector 54 is not engaged with the snib mechanism 52, the lock assembly 30 is in passage mode (i.e. bolt 36 can be retracted by either of the handles 40, 46).

[0053] The advantage of the lock assembly 30 is that the positioning of the snib selector 54 on the inside of a door automatically and correctly places the inside (opposite side) of the door into privacy mode. This greatly reduces the risk of incorrect installation and subsequent usage problems. Further, the lock assembly avoids using a rotatable latch bolt, and thus a second face plate. As a result, the lock assembly can be installed in a standard depth door cut out, increasing installation efficiencies.

[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment and may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A lock assembly including: a body; a bolt mounted to the body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position; a left hub adapted to interact with a left handle; a right hub adapted to interact with a right handle; a snib mechanism mounted to the body; a snib selector with an outer end and an inner end, the outer end protruding from the lock body for activation by a user, the inner end being engagable with the snib mechanism from either a left side or a right side, whereby: engaging the inner end of the snib selector from the left side places the right side of the lock assembly in privacy mode; engaging the inner end of the snib selector from the right side places the left side of the lock assembly in privacy mode; and not engaging the inner end of the snib selector from either the left side or the right side places the lock assembly in passage mode.

2. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the snib mechanism is mounted for movement relative to the body between first, second and third positions, wherein: the left hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the first position; neither the left hub or the right hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the second position; and the right hub is prevented from moving when the snib mechanism is in the third position.

3. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner end of the snib selector threadably engages with the snib mechanism.

4. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 when appended to claim 2, wherein the snib mechanism includes a shuttle part and: engaging the snib selector from the right side brings the snib selector inner end into abutment with the shuttle part and drives the shuttle part to a left position in which the shuttle part limits the movement of the snib mechanism to only between the first and the second positions; and engaging the snib selector from the left side brings the snib selector inner end into abutment with the shuttle part and drives the shuttle part to a right position in which the shuttle part limits the movement of the snib mechanism to only between the third and the second positions.

5. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the snib mechanism includes a snib body with a bolt protuberance and a hub protuberance.

6. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 5 when appended to claim 2, wherein the bolt is adapted to interact with the bolt protuberance to, when driven towards the retracted position, drive the snib mechanism to the second position from the first position or to the second position from the third position.

7. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 5 when appended to claim 2 or claim 6, wherein the hub protuberance is adapted to engage with, and prevent movement of, the left hub when the snib mechanism is in the first position and engage with, and prevent movement of, the right hub when the snib mechanism is in the third position.

8. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the snib mechanism includes a detent assembly settable in left, middle and right positions, wherein: the snib assembly can move between the first and second positions when the detent assembly is in the left position; the snib assembly can move between the first, second and third positions when the detent assembly is in the middle position; and the snib assembly can move between the second and third positions when the detent assembly is in the right position.

9. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the snib selector interacts with the detent assembly such that: engaging the snib selector from the right side sets the detent assembly in the left position; and engaging the snib selector from the left side sets the detent assembly in the right position.

10. The lock assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, further including: a left handle on a left side of the body; and a right handle on a right side of the body.

Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON