AU2019222963A1 - A lock actuator assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock actuator assembly (1) for mounting to a frame member (19) such as a sliding door or window. The actuator assembly (1) may be used to operate a mortice lock (23) having a lock tongue (25). The actuator assembly (1) is mounted externally of the frame member (19), and is operatively associated with the lock (23) mounted internally of the frame member (19) to operate the lock tongue (25) between an engaging position and a released position. Fig 1. 11 *1 4I27%N

Description

A LOCK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY [0001] This application is a complete application of Australian provisional patent application number 2018903303, whose specification as originally filed is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field [0002] The present disclosure relates to actuators for operating locks, particularly mortice locks for sliding doors and windows

Background [0003] It is often desirable for locks to have a snib for actuating the lock without a key. Such snib bars are usually accessible from the private side of the door or window to which the lock is mounted. However, inclusion of a snib generally complicates a lock and is not always required. Further, mounting locks with a snib is often a more difficult process to mounting locks without such a snib.

[0004] It is an objection of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention [0005] In an aspect, the present invention provides a lock actuator assembly to operate a lock mounted internally of a frame member and having a lock tongue moved between an engaging position and a release position, the actuator assembly including:

an actuator to be mounted externally of the frame member for slidable movement relative thereto between a first position and a second position, to move the lock tongue between the engaging position and the released position.

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 [0006] Preferably, the actuator has a coupling portion depending therefrom and locating internally of the frame member, the coupling portion operatively associated with the lock tongue to move the lock between the engaging position and the released position as the actuator moves between the first position and the second position.

[0007] Preferably, the coupling portion locates through an aperture in the frame member.

[0008] Preferably, the actuator assembly further includes a first mounting member mounted externally of the frame member, and a second mounting member attached to the first mounting part, wherein the first mounting part and the second mounting part cooperate to capture the actuator for sliding movement therebetween.

[0009] Preferably, the coupling portion locates through an aperture in the first mounting member.

[0010] Preferably, guides between the first mounting member and the second mounting member are received within an opening of the actuator to limit the sliding movement of the actuator along an axis between the first position and the second position.

[0011] Preferably a first guide contacts with a first sidewall of the actuator and a second guide contacts with an opposing second side wall of the actuator.

[0012] Preferably, the actuator assembly locates around a projecting face of a lock cylinder, said lock cylinder operatively associated with the lock tongue for moving the lock tongue between the engaging and release positions.

[0013] Preferably, the actuator assembly includes a cover over the first and second mounting members to restrict access to the first and second mounting members.

[0014] Preferably, the cover leaves at least a first portion of the actuator in the first position accessible, and at least a second portion of the actuator in the second position accessible.

[0015] Preferably, the first and second portions are flanged.

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 [0016] In another aspect, the invention includes the combination of the lock actuator, and said frame member, and preferably the lock.

Brief Description of Drawings [0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a lock actuator assembly according to the present disclosure shown relative to a door having a mortice lock mounted therein;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded side view of a frame member of a lock actuator assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 a is a schematic front view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly without a cover;

[0021] Figure 3b is a schematic side view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly without a cover;

[0022] Figure 3 c is a schematic perspective view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly without a cover;

[0023] Figure 3d is a schematic top view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly without a cover;

[0024] Figure 4a is a schematic front view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly;

[0025] Figure 4b is a schematic side view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly;

[0026] Figure 4c is a schematic perspective view of an actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly;

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 [0027] Figure 4d is a schematic top view of a lock actuator assembly of a lock actuator assembly;

[0028] Figure 5a is a schematic front view of a lock actuator assembly;

[0029] Figure 5b is a schematic side view of the lock actuator assembly of Figure 5a taken along section B-B;

[0030] Figure 5 c is a schematic top view of the lock actuator assembly of Figure 5 a taken along section A-A;

[0031] Figure 5d is a schematic view of detail A from Figure 5c;

[0032] Figure 6a is a schematic side exploded view of the lock actuator assembly;

[0033] Figure 6b is a schematic side view of the lock actuator assembly taken along section C-C;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a lock actuator assembly and a lock according to the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a lock actuator assembly and a lock;

[0036] Figure 8a is a schematic view of detail A from Figure 8;

[0037] Figure 9 is an alternate schematic perspective view to that of Figure 8;

[0038] Figure 10 is a schematic front view of a lock actuator assembly and a lock;

Description of Embodiments [0039] With reference to the accompanying Figures, disclosed is a lock actuator assembly 1 suitable for mounting to a frame member 19 such as a sliding door or window. The actuator assembly 1 may be used to operate a mortice lock 23 having a lock tongue 25, although it is to be appreciated that the actuator assembly 1 can be applied to other varieties of locks. The actuator assembly 1 is mounted externally of the frame member 19, and is operatively associated with the

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 lock 23 mounted internally of the frame member 19 to operate the lock tongue 25 between an engaging position and a released position. The lock tongue 25 slides to engage with a striker 27 fixed to an adjacent door or window jamb (not shown) in the engaging position, and slides to disengage with a striker 27 fixed to an adjacent door or window jamb in the released position.

[0040] The actuator assembly 1 includes an actuator 3 that is slidable along an axis X-X between a first position and a second position to move the lock tongue 25 between an engaged position and a released position. The actuator assembly 1 includes a coupling portion 29 depending from the actuator 3 and extending through an aperture 21 of the body 19 to operatively engage with the lock tongue 25. By this arrangement, the actuator 3 locates externally of the body 19, and the coupling portion 29 extends therefrom to locate internally of the body 19. The coupling portion 29 is an elongate projection from the actuator 3 and is connected rigidly with the actuator 3 to move in unison with the actuator 3 between the first and second positions. Preferably, the actuator 3 and the coupling portion 29 of the actuator 3 are of unitary construction. The coupling portion 29 is adapted to engage with a sliding member 66 within the lock 23 to provide sliding movement thereto. The sliding member 66 may then facilitate sliding movement of the lock tongue.

[0041] The actuator assembly 1 further includes a first mounting member 33 and a second mounting member 45. The first mounting member 33 and the second mounting member 45 may both have a generally planar form. The first mounting member 33 attaches to the frame member 19 and the second mounting member 45 attaches to the first mounting member 33 with the actuator 3 located between the first mounting member 33 and the second mounting member 45, with the generally planar first mounting member 33 and second mounting member 45 being in spaced parallel relationship. A portion of the actuator 3 locates in the space between the first mounting member 33 and the second mounting member 45 for sliding movement therebetween. The portion of the actuator 3 captured for sliding movement has a generally planar alignment and is thus limited from out of plane movement by the first and second mounting member 45 in spaced parallel relation.

[0042] The first mounting member 33 has a first projection 35 and a second projection 37 extending towards the second mounting member 45. The first projection 35 and the second projection 37 locate toward opposing peripheries of the main planar portion orthogonally to the axis X-X. The actuator 3 has an opening 5 elongate in the direction of the axis X-X, which is

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 adapted to receive the first 35 and second 37 projections so that the projections are in contact with the opposing sidewalls 7 of the opening 5, as seen in Figure 5c. The first 35 and second 37 projections thereby form guides to limit sliding movement of the actuator 3 to along the axis XX.

[0043] The second mounting member 45 has a clip 49, extending toward the first mounting member 33 and adapted to engage with a detent 39 in the first projection 35 of the first mounting member 33. Similarly, the second mounting member 45 has another clip 49 extending toward the first mounting member 33 and adapted to engage with a detent 39 in the second projection 37 of the first mounting member 33. With the clips 49 engaged with the detents 39 of the projections (best seen in Figure 5c), the first 33 and second 45 mounting members are in a connected condition. The connected first 33 and second 45 mounting members with the actuator 3 captured for sliding movement therebetween can be attached to the frame member 19 by screws 63.

[0044] The lock 23 includes a key operable locking cylinder 53 with a face 55 protruding from the frame member 19. The first mounting member 33 has an opening 41 shaped correspondingly to the projecting face 55 so as to locate around the face 55 with a minimum of play. The second mounting member 45 also has an opening 47 to accommodate the face 55 of the cylinder 53 therethrough. By this arrangement, face 55 protrudes through the openings 41,47 of the first member and the second member, as well as the opening 5 of the actuator 3 captured therebetween.

[0045] A cover 57 is placed over the connected first and second members. The cover 57 may have projections or tabs 59, as best seen in Figure 6b, which are adapted to engage with detents 51 in the first mounting member 33 to facilitate connection of the cover 57 to the first mounting member 33. The cover 57 is sized to limit access to the first 33 and second 45 mounting members. However, the actuator 3 has a dimension greater than the cover 57 along the axis XX. By this arrangement at least a portion of the actuator 3 is uncovered by the cover 57 in both the first position and the second position of the actuator 3. For example, when the actuator 3 is in the first position, as shown in Figures 4a to 4d, a top portion 13 of the actuator 3 is accessible, such that the top portion 13 may be pushed downwards by a user to move the actuator 3 into the second position. Similarly, when the actuator 3 is in the second position, a bottom portion 15 is accessible, such that the actuator 3 can be moved into the first position by pushing the exposed

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 bottom portion 15 upwards. The top portion 13 and bottom portion 15 may be flanged 17 to provide a convenient pushing surface to move the actuator 3 between the first and second position. The flanges 17 may also form a mechanical stop with the top and bottom periphery of the cover 57, so as to prevent sliding movement of the actuator 3 beyond the first and second position thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the opening 5 of the actuator 3 may be sized such that the top wall 9 and bottom wall 11 abut against some static portion of the actuator assembly 1 to prevent movement of the actuator 3 beyond its first and second position. Further alternatively, or in addition, the coupling portion 29 may be received within an aperture 43 of the first mounting member 33, as shown in Figure 6a and 6b which is sized to limit movement of the actuator 3 between the first and second positions. The cover 57 has an opening 61 to receive the face 55 of the lock cylinder 53.

[0046] The actuator assembly 1 hereinbefore described provides a snib bar in the form of the actuator 3 that can be mounted externally of a frame member 19 having a lock 23. The externally mounted nature of the actuator assembly 1 makes is optionally installable for a cooperating mortice lock 23, such that the lock 23 can be installed with or without snib function. As the actuator assembly 1 is configured to mount externally of the frame member 19 in a location around the protruding face 55 of the cylinder 53, the actuator assembly 1 integrates snib functionality with an escutcheon for the cylinder 53.

[0047] Referring to Figures 7 to 10 the lock 23 comprises a first lock body 64 and a second lock body 65 with a sliding member 66 locating therebetween. The sliding member 66 is adapted for sliding movement along axis Y-Y which is parallel to X-X. The lock tongue 25 is located on the sliding member 66 so as to also be adapted for movement along Y-Y between the engaged and the release positions. In the example embodiment of the Figures, the lock tongue 25 comprises a cavity formed into the sliding member 66 which is configured to receive a hook-shaped striker 27 when in the release position. The lock tongue 25 is further adapted to slide into the engaged position where the hook shaped striker 27 is captured by the lock tongue 25 in the form of the cavity, thereby prevent withdrawal of the striker 27 from the cavity.

[0048] The coupling portion 29 of the actuator 3 is adapted to locate within a first recess 67 of the lock tongue 25, such that sliding movement of the actuator 3 causes the coupling portion 29 to act against the walls defining the first recess 67 in order to cause sliding movement of the

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2019222963 30 Aug 2019 sliding member 66. By this arrangement, the sliding movement of the actuator 3 facilitates sliding movement of the lock tongue 25 between the engaged and release positions.

[0049] A cam 69 is adapted to engage with a second recess 68 of the sliding member 66, said cam being axially moveable via the key operable locking cylinder 53. By this arrangement using a key to rotate the key operable locking cylinder 53 will cause axial movement of the cam 69 to act against the walls defining the second recess 68 thereby causing sliding movement of the sliding member 66.

[0050] A person skilled in the art will appreciate various other modifications and alterations of the actuator assembly may be made to suit specific applications.

Claims (13)

1. A lock actuator assembly to operate a lock mounted internally of a frame member and having a lock tongue moved between an engaging position and a release position, the actuator assembly including:

an actuator to be mounted externally of the frame member for slidable movement relative thereto between a first position and a second position, to move the lock tongue between the engaging position and the released position.

2. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the actuator has a coupling portion depending therefrom and locating internally of the frame member, the coupling portion is to be operatively associated with the lock tongue to move the lock between the engaging position and the released position, as the actuator moves between the first position and the second position.

3. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein the coupling portion locates through an aperture in the frame member.

4. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the actuator assembly further includes a first mounting member to be mounted externally of the frame member, and a second mounting member attached to the first mounting part, wherein the first mounting part and the second mounting part cooperate to capture the actuator for sliding movement therebetween.

5. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the coupling portion locates through an aperture in the first mounting member.

6. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, guides between the first mounting member and the second mounting member are received within an opening of the actuator to limit the sliding movement of the actuator along an axis between the first position and the second position.

7. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein a first guide contacts with a first sidewall of the actuator and a second guide contacts with an opposing second side wall of the actuator.

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8. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the actuator assembly locates around a projecting face of a lock cylinder, said lock cylinder operatively associated with the lock tongue for moving the lock tongue between the engaging and release positions.

9. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the actuator assembly includes a cover over the first and second mounting members to restrict access to the first and second mounting members.

10. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the cover leaves at least a first portion of the actuator in the first position accessible, and at least a second portion of the actuator in the second position accessible.

11. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1 wherein, the first and second portions are flanged.

12. In combination, the lock actuator of any one of claims 1 to 11, and said frame member.

13. The combination of claim 12 and said lock.