AU2019203732A1 - A lock assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An escutcheon assembly for a door, the escutcheon assembly comprising: a housing having a securing portion and a retaining portion, wherein the retaining portion is configured to accommodate a cylinder lock; and an escutcheon having a lock aperture; wherein the lock 5 aperture is configured to receive the retaining portion of the housing such that the cylinder lock is positioned in the lock aperture and the securing portion of the housing abuts the escutcheon; and wherein the securing portion is configured to be sandwiched between the escutcheon and the door when the escutcheon is attached to the door so as to mount the housing and the cylinder lock to the door. ---108 106-- 112

Description

A LOCK ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to lock assemblies for use in a door, and in particular, to an escutcheon assembly as part of a lock assembly for use in a door.

BACKGROUND [0002] Doors often have a lock assembly which allows the door to be locked. This can impede the door being used by an unauthorised person. For example, a lock assembly may require a suitable key to be inserted and turned before the door can be opened.

[0003] A number of previous attempts have been made to provide suitable lock assemblies 10 for doors. However, for some doors, existing lock arrangements may not be entirely suitable.

SUMMARY [0004] In a first aspect, there is provided an escutcheon assembly for a door, the escutcheon assembly comprising: a housing having a securing portion and a retaining portion, wherein the retaining portion is configured to accommodate a cylinder lock; and an escutcheon having a lock 15 aperture; wherein the lock aperture is configured to receive the retaining portion of the housing such that the cylinder lock is positioned in the lock aperture and the securing portion of the housing abuts the escutcheon; and wherein the securing portion is configured to be sandwiched between the escutcheon and the door when the escutcheon is attached to the door so as to mount the housing and the cylinder lock to the door.

[0005] In a second aspect, there is provided a lock assembly for a door, the lock assembly comprising: the escutcheon assembly of the first aspect; and a cylinder lock retained within the retaining portion.

[0006] In a third aspect, there is provided a door assembly including a door and the lock assembly of the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0007] The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, which show various preferred embodiments of the invention. However, these are provided for illustration only, and the invention is not limited to the particular details of the drawings and the corresponding description.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a door having a lock assembly in accordance with a first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a door having a lock assembly in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a lock assembly.

[0011] Figure 4 shows a rear view of an assembled lock assembly.

[0012] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a lock assembly installed in a door.

[0013] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a lock assembly with a handle installed in a door.

[0014] Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a lock body in which a slide bar is in an unlocked position.

[0015] Figures 7A and 7B show enlarged views of parts of the lock body of Figure 7.

[0016] Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a lock body in which a slide bar is in a locked position.

[0017] Figures 8A and 8B show enlarged views of parts of the lock body of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a door 100. The door 100 has an extruded aluminium section 102 which retains a glass panel 104. The door 100 is attached at the hinge stile 106 to the doorframe 108 by hinges 110. This allows the door 100 to be swung opened and closed by the door 100 pivoting about pins of the hinges 110.

[0019] A lock body 300 is mounted inside the lock stile 112 of the door. The lock body 300 comprises a rod at either end movable relative to the lock body. When the door 100 is closed and the lock body is bolted, the rods extend from the lock body into corresponding strikes 114 in the head and sill of the doorframe 108. This prevents the door 100 from being opened when the lock body is bolted. An example lock body is shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0020] A lock assembly 200 is provided on the lock stile 112 of the door 100. The lock assembly 200 has a handle 202 which is connects to the lock body through a spindle hole in the lock stile 112. A user turning the handle 202 causes the rods of the lock body 300 to be extended or withdrawn.

[0021] A handle escutcheon 204 is attached to the door 100 by handle escutcheon screws 206, or any other suitable fastener. The handle escutcheon 204 has an aperture which allows the spindle of the handle to pass through the handle escutcheon 204 while the user-operable part of the handle remains outside the handle escutcheon 204. The handle escutcheon 204 covers a part of the spindle hole in the lock stile that is not taken up by the handle 202.

[0022] The lock assembly 200 also has an escutcheon assembly 208. The lock escutcheon assembly 208 has a cylinder lock 210 and housing 212 coupled together and a lock escutcheon 214 to mount the coupled cylinder lock 210 and the housing 212 to the door 100. The cylinder lock 210 communicates with the lock body 300 through a lock hole in the lock stile 112. The cylinder lock 210 can be locked or unlocked using a key 216 configured for the cylinder lock 210. When the cylinder lock 210 is locked, the rods of the lock body 300 are locked in the extended position, so that the rods cannot be withdrawn until the cylinder lock 210 is unlocked.

[0023] The lock escutcheon 214 is connected to the lock stile 112 by screws 218, or any other suitable fastener. The lock escutcheon 214 has a lock aperture 220 which allows a front part of the cylinder lock 210, including a keyhole 222, and the housing 212 to be accessed from a front side of the lock escutcheon 214 while a back part of the cylinder lock 210 and the housing 212 sits behind the lock escutcheon 214. In addition, the lock escutcheon 214 covers parts of the lock hole in the lock stile 112 which are not taken up by the cylinder lock 210.

[0024] A user can bolt and unbolt the door 100 using the handle 202. When the door 100 is closed and bolted, a user can use a key 216 to lock the door 100 using the cylinder lock 210. When this occurs, the door must be unlocked using a key 216 in the cylinder lock 210 before the door 100 can be unbolted and reopened.

[0025] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a door 100. This is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, except the handle escutcheon 204 and the lock escutcheon 214 are combined into a single lock assembly escutcheon 224. This is attached to the lock stile 112 by screws 226, or any other suitable fastener.

[0026] Although Figures 1 and 2 show a door 100 attached to a doorframe 108 by hinges 110, this is purely by way of example. The door 100 may equally be another style of door. For example, the lock assembly 200 may be installed in a sliding door arrangement, a bi-fold door arrangement, a French door arrangement, a security screen door, or the like. In some cases, the lock assembly 200 may be installed in a window, such as a sliding window or a pivoting window.

The Lock Assembly [0027] A more detailed view of the lock assembly 200 is provided by Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the lock assembly 200 of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a rear view of the assembled lock assembly 200 of Figure 1.

[0028] The lock assembly 200 comprises a cylinder lock 210, a housing 212, and a lock escutcheon 214.

[0029] The cylinder lock 210 shown in the drawings is a pin tumbler cylinder lock, though alternative cylinder locks are also envisioned. The cylinder lock 210 has a key cylinder 228 which can rotate relative to a cylinder lock body 230 when a key 216 that is suitably configured is inserted into the keyhole 222. A tail bar 232 of the cylinder lock 210 is in communication with the key cylinder 228. When the key cylinder 228 rotates, the tail bar 232 rotates in concert. The tail bar 232 is retained in the cylinder lock 210 by a knurled cap 234, which screws onto the rear of the cylinder lock 210.

[0030] The cylinder lock body 230 has a plug portion 236 with a circular cross-section in which the rotatable key cylinder is retained, and a narrower shell portion 238 with a rectangular crosssection in which the pins of the cylinder lock 210 are housed.

[0031] The housing 212 comprises a retaining portion which defines a cavity 240 in which the cylinder lock 210 can sit. In particular, the cavity 240 comprises a plug cavity and a shell cavity. The plug cavity corresponds to the plug portion 236 of the cylinder lock body 230. The shell cavity corresponds to the shell portion 238 of the cylinder lock body 230. When the cylinder lock 210 is inserted into the cavity 240, the plug portion 236 mates with the plug cavity and the shell portion 238 mates with the shell cavity. The housing may be chrome plated.

[0032] The plug cavity is open at both ends. When the cylinder lock 210 sits within the housing 212, the keyhole 222 of the cylinder lock 210 is aligned with the opening in one end of the plug cavity. This allows a user to insert a key 216 into the keyhole 222 when the cylinder lock 210 sits within the housing 212.

[0033] The housing 212 further includes a seat 242 at one end of the shell cavity. The seat 242 abuts an end of the shell portion 238 when the cylinder lock 210 is in the cavity 240. A seat screw hole 244 is formed in the seat 242. When a screw 246 is screwed into the seat screw hole 244, the head of the screw abuts the shell portion 238. This locks the cylinder lock 210 within the cavity 240. Alternatively, another kind of fastening arrangement may be used in place of screw 246 and seat screw hole 244, such as a rivet in a suitable hole.

[0034] The housing 212 also includes a securing portion. This is formed on the outside of the housing 212 in the form of four tabs 248 extending outwards from the housing 212 and radially distributed about the outside of the housing 212. The tabs may be different sizes. For example, three smaller tabs may be formed near the plug cavity, and one larger tab may be formed near the shell cavity. More or fewer tabs may be provided. In the case of a single tab, the tab may be a collar which extends around the whole of the housing 212.

[0035] The lock escutcheon 214 is a generally flat plate having a lock aperture 220. Screw holes 254 are provided on either end of the lock escutcheon 214 for mounting to a door 100. The aperture is sized and shaped to accommodate the retaining portion of the housing 212. When the housing 212 is installed in the lock escutcheon 214, there may be a gap of less than about 5mm between the side of the housing 212 and the side of the lock aperture 220. The lock escutcheon 214 may be powder coated.

[0036] When the retaining portion of the housing 212 is inserted into the lock aperture 220 of the lock escutcheon 214, the securing portion of the housing 212 abuts an inner face of the lock escutcheon 214. The inner face of the lock escutcheon 214 further includes guides 250 for receiving at least some of the tabs 248. The guides 250 can ensure a consistent lateral and longitudinal location of the housing 212 relative to the lock escutcheon 214. Other tabs 248 may abut a lip 252 which runs around the edge of the inner face of the lock escutcheon 214. The tabs 248 may be flush with the lip 252 when the housing is installed in the lock escutcheon 214. For example, the tabs 248 may sit in corresponding cut-outs in the lip 252.

[0037] The abutment of the tabs 248 with the inner face of the lock escutcheon 214 limits the extent to which the housing 212 can pass through the lock aperture 220. The distance that the housing protrudes through the aperture from the outer face of the escutcheon can be preconfigured by the location of the securing portion so as to allow a consistent protrusion of the housing 212 relative to the lock escutcheon 214. That is, the distance of the protrusion corresponds to the distance between the securing portion and one end of the retaining portion near where the keyhole 222 is located. This allows the amount of protrusion of the housing to be independent of the installation or the selection of packers or the like. For example, the housing may be configured to protrude between about 9 mm to about 14 mm from the outer face of the escutcheon.

[0038] Because the cylinder lock 210 is fixed to the housing 212, this also causes the depth difference between the keyhole 222 and the lock escutcheon 214 and the door 100 to be preconfigured and consistent.

Installed Lock Assembly [0039] Figure 5 shows an arrangement in which the escutcheon assembly 208 is installed on a section 102 of a door 100. Generally, the section 102 of the door 100 is the lock stile 112, however in some embodiments different sections of the door 100 may be used.

[0040] A lock body 300 is installed in the section 102. In Figure 5, the lock body 300 is depicted in a simplified manner. A more detailed depiction of the lock body 300 is provided in Figures 7 and 8.

[0041] The cylinder lock 210 is mounted within the housing 212. This is secured by a screw 246 screwed into the seat screw hole 244. The head of the screw 246 firmly presses against the cylinder lock 210 so that the cylinder lock 210 is retained within the housing 212. Part of the plug portion 236 protrudes through the lock aperture 220 of the lock escutcheon 214. In addition, the keyhole 222 is positioned so that a key 216 can be inserted into the keyhole 222 and the key cylinder 228 can be turned.

[0042] The housing 212 is installed in the section 102 so that the back part of the cylinder lock 210 (which includes the tail bar 232) and the seat 242 pass through a lock opening 116 in the section 102. The tail bar 232 is inserted into the lock hub 322 of the lock body 300.

[0043] The housing 212 sits within the lock escutcheon 214 such that the tabs 248 abut the inner face of the lock escutcheon 214. Part of the retaining portion of the housing 212 then protrudes through the lock aperture 220.

[0044] The door 100 comprises screw holes 118 which are aligned with the screw holes 254 of the lock escutcheon 214. This allows screws 218 to mount the lock escutcheon 214 to the door 100. Alternatively, another suitable fastener arrangement may be used. When the lock escutcheon 214 is mounted to the door 100, a portion of the cylinder lock 210 and the seat 242 of the housing 212 are located within the section 102 of the door. The tail bar 232 extends through at least half of the section 102 but does not contact the far wall of the section 102. The tail bay 232 may extend through the section 102 until it extends beyond the lock body 300, for example about 1 mm beyond.

2019203732 28 May 2019 [0045] Mounting the lock escutcheon 214 to the door 100 causes the tabs 248 of the housing

212 to be sandwiched between the inner face of the lock escutcheon 214 and the outer face of the door 100. This sandwiching mounts the housing 212 to the door 100 and prevents the housing 212 from being detached from the lock escutcheon 214 or the door 100. Because the guides 250 prevent longitudinal movement of the housing 212 relative to the lock escutcheon

214, the lock opening 116 in the section 102 may have a large tolerance relative to the cylinder lock 210. For example, the tolerance may be greater than 3 cm.

[0046] Because the distance that the housing 212 (and thus the front face of the cylinder lock

210) protrudes from the lock escutcheon 214 is set by the position of the tabs 248 relative to 10 the housing 212, the housing 212 and cylinder lock 210 protrude a set distance from the front face of the door, irrespective of the depth of the section 102.

[0047] Figure 6 shows an arrangement in which the lock assembly 200 is installed on a section

102 of a door 100. In Figure 6, the escutcheon assembly 208 is the same as that shown and described in relation to Figure 5.

[0048] The handle 202 is installed in the section 102 so that the spindle 256 of the handle 202 passes through the spindle hole 264 of the section 102. The spindle 256 is inserted into the drive hub 302 of the lock body. This allows rotation of the handle 202 to be translated to rotation of the drive hub 302.

[0049] The handle 202 is mounted to the section 102 by screws 258 passing through handle screw holes 260. The screws 258 pass through openings 262 in the section 102 and mesh with the threaded screw holes 344 in the lock body 300. The handle 202 is therefore not connected directly to the section 102, but instead is mounted via the lock body 300.

Installation [0050] Typically, the installation of the escutcheon assembly 208 into a section 102 containing a lock body 300 begins with the cylinder lock 210 being mounted to the housing 212 by screwing a screw 246 into the seat screw hole 244. The tail bar 232 of the cylinder lock 210 is then inserted into the lock hub 322. Because the tail bar 232 fits snugly within the tail bar hole 326, the coupled cylinder lock 210 and housing 212 will be held in place, even without a user's intervention. The lock escutcheon 214 can then be mounted to the section 102 by passing the 30 front part of the cylinder lock 210 through the lock aperture 220, and screwing screws 218 through the screw holes 254 and into the section 102. Mounting the lock escutcheon 214 to the section 102 causes the coupled cylinder lock 210 and housing 212 to also be mounted to the section 102, due to the sandwiching of tabs 248.

The Lock Body [0051] Figures 5 and 6 show a simplified form of the lock body 300 for clarity. Further detail of the lock body 300 is shown in Figures 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8A, and 8B.

[0052] In particular, Figures 7 and 8 show a sectional view of the lock body 300. Figures 7A and 8A show an enlarged view of the drive hub of Figures 7 and 8 respectively. Figures 7B and 8B show an enlarged view of the lock hub of Figures 7 and 8 respectively.

[0053] The lock body 300 has a drive hub 302 which can rotate in a drive hub socket 304. The drive hub 302 has teeth around at least part of its edge which mesh with the corresponding teeth of a pair of gears 306. Each gear 306 has a cam which is connected to a first end of an arm 308 via a first pin 310. Each arm 308 is connected at a second end to a shoot bolt 312 via a second pin 314. Each shoot bolt 312 can be connected to a rod via screw thread 346 which mates with a strike in a doorframe 108 when the shoot bolts 312 are extended to prevent the door from being opened.

[0054] Rotation of the drive hub 302 causes corresponding rotation of each gear 306 due to the meshing of the respective teeth. As each gear 306 rotates, the first end of each corresponding arm 308 is urged along an arcuate path around the gear 306. The second end of each arm 308 then urges the shoot bolt 312 to move along a linear axis. When the drive hub 302 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the gears 306 rotate in a clockwise direction. This causes the arms 308 to move towards the drive hub 302. This in turn causes the shoot bolts 312 to be at least partly withdrawn within the lock body 300. When the drive hub 302 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the gears 306 rotate in an anti-clockwise direction. This causes the arms 308 to move away from the drive hub 302. This in turn causes the shoot bolts 312 to be extended from the lock body 300. The maximum distance of travel of each shoot bolt 312 may be around 14 mm.

[0055] Pegs 316 are provided on either side of each shoot bolt 312. The pegs 316 keep the shoot bolts 312 from deviating from the linear axis by defining a path of movement for the shoot bolt 312. During movement of each arm 308, the arm 308 can pivot about the first pin 310 and the second pin 314 so that the rotation of the gear 306 is translated to linear movement of the shoot bolt 312.

[0056] A stop 320 is provided within an aperture 318 of one of the shoot bolts 312. The stop 320 is fixed to the lock body 300. As the shoot bolt 312 moves along its linear axis, the aperture 318 moves in relation to stop 320 until one end of the aperture 318 abuts the stop 320. This limits the range of extension or withdrawal of the shoot bolt 312. This also limits the range of rotation of the drive hub 302, due to the communication between the shoot bolts 312 and the drive hub 302 via the gears 306 and arms 308.

[0057] The lock body 300 has a lock hub 322 which can rotate in a lock hub socket 324. The lock hub 322 comprises a tail bar hole 326 passing through the centre of the lock hub 322. The tail bar hole 326 accommodates the tail bar 232 of the cylinder lock 210 so that the tail bar 232 can pass through the tail bar hole 326. A locking cam 328 is connected to the lock hub 322 and rotates in concert with the lock hub 322.

[0058] The lock body 300 has a slide bar 330 which is movable along a linear axis relative to the lock body 300 between a locked position and an unlocked position. A stop 332 is provided in an aperture 334 of the slide bar 330. The stop 332 is fixed to the lock body 300. As the slide bar 330 moves along its linear axis, the aperture 334 moves in relation to stop 322 until one end of the aperture 334 abuts the stop 322. This limits the range of movement of the slide bar 330. The locked position and unlocked position correspond to the ends of the range of movement of the slide bar 330.

[0059] The slide bar 330 has an inlet 336 which has two opposing walls 338. The distance between the opposing walls 338 is around the height of the lock hub 322 plus the height the locking cam 328. This allows the lock hub 322 to be accommodated within the inlet 336. In addition, the inlet 336 is sufficiently deep such that, as the lock hub 322 is rotated, the locking cam 328 does not protrude from the inlet 336.

[0060] Rotating the lock hub 322 moves the slide bar 330 linearly. That is, as the lock hub 322 rotates (for example, because the key cylinder 228 is rotated by a user, and the tail bar 232 inserted into the tail bar hole 326 rotates in concert with the key cylinder 228), the locking cam 328 rotates around a range of 180°. When the locking cam reaches around 45° from one end of its movement range, the locking cam 328 contacts a wall of the inlet 336. Further rotation of the locking cam 328 towards the end of its movement range causes the locking cam 328 to push against the wall of the inlet 336. This urges the slide bar 330 to move linearly along its axis.

[0061] The slide bar 330 has an arcuate catch 340 at one end. The catch 340 can mate with an arcuate notch 342 in the drive hub 302. When the shoot bolts 312 are extended, the drive hub 302 is oriented so that the catch 340 is aligned with the notch 342.

[0062] When the slide bar 330 is in the locked position, the catch 340 is inserted within the notch 342. If the drive hub 302 were attempted to be rotated, the side of the notch 342 would push against the side of the catch 340. This locks the drive hub 302 in place when the slide bar 330 is in the locked position. When the slide bar is in the unlocked position, the catch 340 is withdrawn from the notch 342. This allows the drive hub 302 to rotate when the slide bar 330 is in the unlocked position.

[0063] If the drive hub 302 is in an orientation in which the shoot bolts 312 are not extended, the catch 340 does not align with the notch 342. This impedes the movement of the slide bar 330 into the locked position, as the catch 340 pushes against the outside of the drive hub 302. This means that the slide bar 330 can only enter the locked position when the shoot bolts 312 are extended.

[0064] In this way, the rotating the key cylinder 228 causes the lock body 300 to move between a locked state in which the slide bar is in the locked position and the shoot bolts 312 are extended and an unlocked state in which the slide bar is in the unlocked position.

Interpretation [0065] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, this should not be taken to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

[0066] It is acknowledged that the terms comprise, comprises, and comprising may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - that is, they will be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components

2019203732 28 May 2019 which the use directly references, and possibly also of other non-specified components or elements.

[0067] Reference to any document in this specification does not constitute an admission that it is prior art, that it is validly combinable with other documents or that it forms part of the 5 common general knowledge.

Claims (10)

1. An escutcheon assembly for a door, the escutcheon assembly comprising:

a housing having a securing portion and a retaining portion, wherein the retaining portion is configured to accommodate a cylinder lock; and an escutcheon having a lock aperture;

wherein the lock aperture is configured to receive the retaining portion of the housing such that the cylinder lock is positioned in the lock aperture and the securing portion of the housing abuts the escutcheon; and wherein the securing portion is configured to be sandwiched between the escutcheon and the door when the escutcheon is attached to the door so as to mount the housing and the cylinder lock to the door.

2. The escutcheon assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is configured to protrude through the lock aperture a predetermined distance.

3. The escutcheon assembly of claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to the distance between the securing portion and one end of the retaining portion.

4. The escutcheon assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the securing portion comprises a plurality of tabs radially distributed around the outside of the housing.

5. The escutcheon assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion defines a cavity for accommodating the cylinder lock, the cavity having an aperture at one end for a keyhole of the cylinder lock.

6. The escutcheon assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing comprises a hole configured to receive a fastener such that a head of the fastener locks the cylinder lock in the retaining portion.

7. A lock assembly for a door, the lock assembly comprising:

the escutcheon assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6; and a cylinder lock retained within the retaining portion.

2019203732 28 May 2019

8. The lock assembly of claim 7, wherein the cylinder lock comprises a key cylinder and a tail bar, the tail bar being configured to engage with a lock body in the door such that rotation of the key cylinder causes the lock body to move between a locked state and an unlocked state.

9. The lock assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the cylinder lock is a pin tumbler cylinder lock.

5 10. A door assembly including a door and the lock assembly of any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The escutcheon assembly of claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to one of Figures 1 to 6.

12. The lock assembly of claim 7 substantially as herein described with reference to one of Figures 1 to 6.

10 13. The door assembly of claim 10 substantially as herein described with reference to Figure

1 or 2.