AU2019283862A1 - A Lock - Google Patents

Abstract

It is known to use mortice locks to regulate the ability of a door to open and close. Configuring these for different uses can be a time consuming exercise, particularly when many have to be done. It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the 5 invention to provide a lock that goes at least some way towards addressing this. According to one embodiment of the invention there is a lock comprising a latch mechanism that can be moved between a forward position and a retracted position, a pair of actuators 8, 9, a pair of locking bars 14, 15 and moving means. The lock is formed such that each actuator 8, 9 can turn to cause the latch mechanism 5 to move 10 between its forward and retracted positions. The lock is also formed so that the moving means can, in at least one setting of the lock, cause movement of one of the locking bars 14, 15 independent of the other, to engage a respective one of the actuators 8, 9. This prevents that actuator from moving the latch mechanism 5 between the forward and retracted positions. 15 3/11 7¾17 Figureigua Fiur7

Description

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7¾17

Figureigua Fiur7

TITLE

A Lock

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A preferred form of the invention relates to a mortice lock.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use mortice locks to regulate the ability of a door to open and close. Configuring these for different uses can be a time consuming exercise, particularly when many have to be done. It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the invention to provide a lock that goes at least some way towards addressing this problem. While this object applies to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the object of the invention per se is simply to provide a useful choice. Therefore any objects or advantages of any preferred embodiment should not be read-in as a limitation on claims expressed more broadly

DEFINITIONS

The term "comprising" or similar as used in this document in relation to a combination of features means that the combination has 'at least' the features recited. It does not rule out the option of there being further unnamed features. The term is therefore inclusive, not exclusive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a lock comprising: * latch means that can be moved between a forward position and a retracted position; * a pair of actuators; * a pair of locking bars; and * moving means; the lock formed such that: o each actuator can turn to cause the latch means to move between its forward and retracted positions; and o the moving means can, in at least one setting of the lock, cause movement of one of the locking bars independent of the other locking bar to engage a respective one of the actuators to prevent that actuator from moving the latch means between the forward and retracted positions.

Optionally the actuators are side by side.

Optionally the moving means is adapted to move the locking bars between raised and lowered positions.

Optionally the moving means comprises a key cylinder arranged so that it can, in the at least one setting of the lock, move just one of the locking bars.

Optionally each actuator comprises a hub and an outwardly extending arm, each arm arranged for movement of the latch means.

Optionally the latch means comprises a lock bolt able to move between bolt-extended and bolt-retracted positions.

Optionally at least one of the actuators comprises a recess that can be engaged by a respective one of the locking bars to prevent movement of the actuator.

Optionally a foot of the engaging locking bar is adapted to engage the recess.

Optionally the latch mechanism is spring biased towards its forward position.

Optionally the lock has a selector that can be set so that the locking bars move in unison, and can be re-set so that one locking bar can move independently of the other locking bar to engage a respective one of the actuators with said other locking bar not engaging any of the actuators.

Optionally the selector can be slid to align with one of the locking bars and can be subsequently slid to overlap the locking bars.

Optionally the lock can be functioned by non-destructively removing a key cylinder, or the key cylinder as the case may be, and manipulating the selector through an opening left by removal of the cylinder.

Optionally at least one of the locking bars has a spring biased detent adapted to hold that locking bar clear of the actuators.

Optionally at the same time:

a) the latch means has a bolt arranged for engagement with a strike plate of a doorway;

b) each actuator has a central hub and an outwardly extending arm, each arm arranged for engagement with the latch mechanism;

c) each actuator engages a handle activated snib;

d) at least one of the actuators has a notch for receiving a foot of one of the locking bars to prevent the actuator, on the one setting of the lock, from turning;

e) a selector that can be slid to overlap the locking bars so that they are set to move in unison;

f) a key cylinder that can, when turned by a key, move at least one of the locking bars into engagement with one of the actuators; and

g) the selector can be accessed via an opening left on removal of the cylinder.

DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a mortice lock for use in a door;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the lock with its key cylinder removed;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the lock with its latch mechanism removed;

Figure 4 illustrates detail of handle, actuator and locking bar parts of the lock;

Figure 5 illustrates further detail of the handle, actuator and locking bar parts;

Figure 6 illustrates still further detail of the handle, actuator and locking bar parts;

Figure 7 illustrates the manner of engagement between the actuator and locking bar parts;

Figure 8a-b further illustrates the manner of engagement between the actuator and locking bar parts;

Figure 9 illustrates the manner in which the locking bars can be selected to obtain different variations of functionality of the lock;

Figure 10 is a side view of the lock when its bolt is in a hold-back position;

Figure 11 is side view of the lock illustrating the operation of an anti-lockout mode of the lock;

Figure 12 is an isometric view of the latch mechanism illustrating internal componentry involved in the selection of the lock's state;

Figures 13 a-c illustrate the position of latch mechanism components in neutral, anti lockout and hold-back lock states;

Figure 14 a-d illustrate engagement and disengagement of a hold back plate;

Figure 15 is an isometric view of some parts of the lock prior to being placed hold back mode;

Figure 16 is an isometric view similar to that of figure 15, but when the lock's latch mechanism is fully retracted;

Figure 17a-c illustrate detail relevant to engagement of the hold-back mode;

Figure 18 a-b illustrate disengagement of the hold-back mode;

Figure 19 illustrates a visual indicator to show the current configuration of the lock; and

Figures 20a-b illustrate a housing forming part of the lock, prior to assembly and when assembled, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, a mortice lock for a door has a housing 1 incorporating a front plate 2. A key cylinder 3 is fitted to the side of the housing to facilitate locking and unlocking as desired.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cylinder 3 is held in place by way of a tool 4 that removably passes through an aperture of the cylinder. The tool 4 is in the shape of a hockey stick and can be slid into and out of engagement with the cylinder 3 from the front plate 2.

A shown in figure 3, the lock incorporates a latch mechanism 5 fitted into the housing so that its bolt 6 can move forwards and backwards depending on how the lock is manipulated. A spring 7 biases the bolt 6 to a locking position where it extends outside the housing for engaging the strike plate of a door frame (not shown). However, the biasing force can be overcome to draw the bolt 6 into the housing 1 so that the door can be opened.

Two Actuators

Referring to Figures 1-4, and especially Figure 4, the lock has a pair of actuators 8, 9 arranged side by side. Each actuator 8, 9 has a central hub 10 and an upwardly angled arm 11. In other embodiments there may be more than two such actuators.

With further reference to Figure 4, in combination with Figure 5, each actuator 8, 9 receives a separate handle spindle 12, which is in turn associated with a respective handle 13 on either side of the door, so that turning of one or other of the handles drives the associated spindle to rotate one or other of the actuators 8, 9. In alternative embodiments the actuators 8, 9 may work with a common spindle, ie one spindle for both as opposed to each having a separate spindle.

Referring to Figure 6, as the actuators 8, 9 rotate one way or the other, i.e. when the handles 13 are turned, the angled arm 11 in each case swings to move the latch mechanism so that the bolt 6 moves forwards or backwards, depending on the direction of rotation.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the lock incorporates a pair of locking bars 14, 15 (in other embodiments there may be more than two such bars). The locking bars 14, 15 are driven up or down by way of a cam 16 (see figure 4) forming part of the key cylinder 3. In other words, the locking bars can be moved up and down via a hand-turned key when inserted in the cylinder 3. For ease of understanding, figure 4 shows the cam 16 without the rest of the cylinder. However the cylinder 3 is shown in full in figure 5.

Referring to Figure 7, the central hub of each actuator 8, 9 has a notch 17 for receiving a foot of a respective one of the locking bars 14, 15. When the locking bar's foot is in the respective notch 17, the associated actuator is unable to rotate to move the bolt 6. The door is therefore locked to one side.

Figures 8a - 8b illustrate the manner in which the locking bars 14, 15 can be set to move independently or in unison. This is achieved by way of a sliding selector 18 that can be located at only one or other of the locking bars as shown at 19 to give them freedom to move independently. However the selector 18 can also be set to overlap the locking bars as shown at 20 so that they can only move in unison. The lock can therefore be configured to suit end user needs by moving the selector 18 into the desired position. This can be done when the lock is first installed, prior to installation or subsequently at any point after installation.

As indicated in Figure 9, the position of the selector 18 can be set by removing the cylinder 3 to expose an opening 21 in the housing 1. The tool 4 associated with the cylinder 3 can then be inserted into the opening 21 and used to push or pull the sliding selector 18 into the desired position.

As there are two actuators 8, 9 and two locking bars 14, 15, each actuator can be locked against rotation independently. This means that the lock may be set so the door is locked or can otherwise be opened from one side but not on the other. However the lock can also be set so that the locking bars cannot move independently. In that case the door can be locked or unlocked or otherwise opened from both sides.

It is advantageous that the lock can be 'functioned' by accessing the mechanism through the opening 21 in the housing that receives the cylinder 3. It means that configuration of the lock can be achieved without having to remove it from the door. It also means that there is no need for a tamper vulnerable access point into the lock from in front of the housing.

Referring further to Figure 9, the top of each locking bar 14, 15 is associated with a pair of detents 22. The detents of each pair 22a, 22b are spring biased away from one another. This is achieved by a spring 32, between the detents of each pair. Therefore, one detent of each pair is spring biased forwards and the other is spring biased backwards. The backwards biased detents 22a can locate in a recess (not shown) of the housing to hold the locking bars 14, 15 up off the respective actuators 8, 9. But the spring force on the detents can be easily overcome to free the locking bars for movement up and down, for example as the result of a key turn at the cylinder 3. The detents provide a way of keeping a non-active one of the locking bars 14, 15 away from its respective actuator 8, 9 when the lock is functioned so that only one of the locking bars is active, or in other words able to be moved by a key turn.

Hold-Back & Anti-Lockout Modes

Referring to Figure 10, it is sometimes desirable to be able to "hold-back" the latch mechanism 5 so that the bolt 6 remains inside the housing 1 contrary to tension from the spring 7. Otherwise the spring 7 would urge the bolt 6 into its forward (out of housing) door locking position. This is known as the lock's hold-back mode. It is achieved by reversibly moving a holdback, in this case a hold-back plate 42, into the normal path of movement of the latch mechanism 5. As shown, the plate 42 protrudes into a recess 32 in the housing 1 to prevent the spring 7 pushing the latch mechanism, and therefore the bolt into, a door locking position. The detail of this relationship will become more apparent from the description below.

Referring to Figure 11, the lock can also be arranged with a latch spindle 25 in a position where it's lobed head 23 which has a ramped portion 29, is able to interact with one or both locking bars 14, 15 when the latch 5 is retracted by either a turn of the handle 13, or a key turn of the cylinder 3. When the lobed head is in this state the lock is in anti-lockout mode. In that mode the bolt 6 extends outside the main housing 1 but can be freely retracted to enable access through doorway/door that the lock is used with. The intent of the anti-lockout mode is to ensure that a person is unable to lock themselves out unintentionally when passing through a door (without the key for example).

Adjusting the Spindle for Different Modes

Referring to Figure 12, the latch spindle 25 can turn within a spindle housing 41. For ease of illustration and description, only part of the housing 41 is shown. The spindle 25 can be adjustably rotated to four stop positions, spaced at 90 intervals, to alter the orientation of the lobed head 23, Adjustment in this manner can be achieved on installation of the lock, or later, by inserting the hockey stick shaped tool 4 through the cylinder opening 21 (indicated in figure 11). The cylinder opening 21 is accessed by removal of the face plate 31, hockey stick shaped tool 4 and cylinder 3 (see for example Figure 9). The tool 4 is used to push or pull on radial adjuster teeth 26 of the spindle. Further, the spindle 25 has a hold back recess 37, for receiving the holdback plate 42 mentioned in Figure 10.

Figures 13 a-c illustrate further detail for the latch mechanism 5, and in particular three of the 900 adjustment positions. For Figure 13a the lock is set in its neutral mode where the recess faces upwards. For Figure 13b the lock is in its anti-lockout mode where the recess 37 faces sideways, and the ramped portion 29 of the spindle's lobed head faces upwards so as to be able to interact with locking bar(s). And for Figure 13c the lock is set in its hold back mode where the recess 37 faces down. The fourth 90° rotational stop position is not shown, but it also amounts to an anti-lockout mode. It can be considered a mirror image of the Figure 13b position, but where the recess 37 faces in the opposite sideways direction.

The four 90° rotational stop positions are reached and maintained when one of four apertures 38 in the spindle are aligned with a locating detent 27. The detent 27 is under a constant upward force from a spring 28 so that when it engages a corresponding aperture 38, the spindle is positively retained in the neutral, anti-lockout and hold-back position respectively. However a deliberate positive rotational force applied to the spindle 25 frees the detent 27 from the aperture it is located in.

In the Figure 13a-b states, the holdback plate 42 is butted against the bottom of the spindle 25. The plate 42 is urged upwards by constant force from a spring 34. However the plate 42 is not able to enter the recess 37 to hold back the latch mechanism because the recess 37 is not orientated to receive it. By contrast, in the Figure 13c state, which corresponds to the hold-back mode, the spindle recess 37 is orientated down to face the plate 42. This allows the plate 42 to advance up into the spindle recess 37 under force from the spring 34, to hold back the latch mechanism 5. As a consequence the bolt 6 is held back, within the housing 1. In this position upper legs 42a at either side of the holdback plate 42 are caught against the front edge 33 of the recess 32 of the housing 1 (see Figures 10 and 13a-c).

Once the lock has been set in its general hold back mode it is desirable, in everyday use, for that mode to be selectively activated and deactivated by a human user. In other words the lock can be placed in its hold back mode for easy'push-open access'during certain times of the day, and subsequently placed in a lockable security state for other times of the day. Figures 14a, 14b, 14c, 15, 16, 17a, 17b, 17c illustrate the method by which this is achieved.

Referring to Figure 14a, the spindle 25 is set in the hold back state with its recess 37 facing down and engaged with the plate 42. The leg 42a of the plate 42 that would be in the foreground of the drawing is omitted for ease of explanation and illustration. However the leg 42a behind the spindle is shown. A selector 36 is located within the housing 41 and is subject to constant force from a spring 35. The spring is seated on an annular retaining step of the spindle 25, and serves to bias the selector in a direction away from the plate 42. The selector 36 is constrained at a resting position at the other side of the spring 35 by a stop (not shown) forming part of the housing 41. When the selector 36 is in the resting state the spring 35 is partially compressed so that there is some constant force on it.

In the Figure 14a state, a lower step 43 of the selector 36 prevents upward advancement of the plate 42 into the spindle recess 37. But, as indicated in Figure 14b, when a sufficient deliberate force is applied to the selector 36, to move it along the spindle to the left, the selector's step 43 goes past the plate 42. This exposes the plate 42 to a larger recess 44 on the underside of the selector so that the plate 42, under force from the spring 34, is able to move up into the spindle's recess 37. Figure 14c shows the plate 42 when it has located itself in this way, as far as it can go into the selector's recess 44. This fully advanced position of the plate 42 corresponds with what is shown in Figure 13c. In this position the plate's legs 42a (only one of which is drawn in Figure 14c) is located in the recess 32 of the main housing (see Figure 10) to hold-back the bolt 6. Again, in this disposition the lock is in hold-back mode.

Figure 14d illustrates how still further movement of the selector 36 along the spindle, ie to the left, causes a ramp 39 of the selector 36 to interact with the hold back plate 42. This interaction drives the plate 42 back down to its Figure 14a retracted position. Figure 14d only shows the initial stages of this movement but when it is complete the plate 42 is held below the spindle recess 37 by a step 36a of the selector.

Figures 15, 16 and 17a-c further illustrate how the hold-back mode may be achieved (some components are omitted from the drawings for ease of illustration). Referring firstly to Figures 15 and 16, a door (not shown) fitted with the lock is opened. A human user then presses the latch 5 by hand fully into the main housing 1. While holding the latch 5 inside the lock, the user proceeds to turn the lock's key (or a turn adaptor) in its cylinder 3 to rotate a latch retraction cam 40. This movement is indicated in Figure 17a and, as shown, a leading edge 46 of the cam 40 pushes against an upstand 47 that is part of the selector 36. As the cam 40 continues to rotate in this path it moves the selector 36 along the spindle to the positions indicated in Figures 14b and 14c. This enables the holdback 36 to advance into the recess 32 to hold the latch 5 back in the main housing 1 (see Figure 10). At this point the user can release hand force on the latch 5 and remove the key from the lock. The lock is thereby maintained in its hold back mode, as per Figure 17c.

Figures 18a-b illustrate how the human user can disengage hold-back mode. Referring to Figure 18a, the user turns the key in the cylinder 3 (or a turn adaptor) to rotate the cam 40 to push the selector's upstand 47. The user continues this movement so that the cam 40 moves the hold back 36 to the position illustrated in Figure 14d. As described, when in that position the hold-back plate 42 is driven back down to its retracted position and disengages the recess 32 (see Figure 10). Referring to Figure 18b, the user then rotates the key (or turn adaptor) in the opposite direction to rotate the cam 40 in the opposite direction (clockwise in the drawing). As the cam 40 does this, the spring 7 exerts a greater force than the spring 35. As a consequence the latch 5 moves so that the bolt 6 extends from the housing 1. While this occurs the selector 36 maintains contact with the cam's leading edge 46 and keeps the hold back plate 42 in its retracted position. The contact between the cam 40 and the selector 36 is maintained until the latch 5 has moved to the point that the recess 32 is no longer accessible to the plate 42. At this point the selector 36 is able to return to the neutral position shown in Figure 14a; that is under force provided by the spring 35 and unrestrained by the cam 40. In this state hold-back mode has been disengaged, but can be subsequently activated by the human user in the manner described above.

Referring to Figure 19, the lock incorporates an indicator 30 that can be accessed to show what mode the lock is configured to at any time. It can be revealed by rotating the bolt 6 to a horizontal disposition after removing face plate 31 (as seen in Figure 9)

While the actuators 8, 9 and the locking bars 14, 15 have each been shown as one-piece parts, in other embodiments of the invention they may be formed from a combination of sub parts. The same applies to other components of the lock, where this is functionally practical.

In some embodiments of the invention there may be key cylinders 3 on both sides, or on no side. Optionally the key cylinder or cylinders may be substituted by a keyless hand operated snib lever for moving one or other, or both, of the locking bars 14, 15 from outside or inside the door.

Figure 20 illustrates the lock's housing 1 prior to being fitted with the other components. The housing 1 has a central chassis 1a and two side panels 1b, 1c. The housing may therefore comprise all three parts, in combination. However in alternative embodiments the side panels may be absent, in which case the housing would just be the central chassis. The housing may optionally take alternative forms; these are just examples.

Although the lock is preferred for use with doors, whether swinging or sliding, in some embodiments it may also be used to secure windows.

In terms of disclosure, this document hereby discloses each item, feature or step mentioned herein in combination with one or more of any of the other items, features or steps disclosed herein, in each case regardless of whether the combination is claimed.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A lock comprising: * latch means that can be moved between a forward position and a retracted position; * a pair of actuators; * a pair of locking bars; and * moving means; the lock formed such that: o each actuator can move (eg turn/rotate) to cause the latch means to move between its forward and retracted positions; and o the moving means can, in at least one setting of the lock, cause movement of one of the locking bars independent of the other locking bar to engage a respective one of the actuators to prevent that actuator from moving the latch means between the forward and retracted positions.

2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein the actuators are side by side.

3. A lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving means is adapted to move the locking bars between raised and lowered positions.

4. A lock according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the moving means comprises a key cylinder arranged so that it can, in the at least one setting of the lock, move just one of the locking bars.

5. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each actuator comprises a hub and an outwardly extending arm, each arm arranged for movement of the latch means.

6. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch means comprises a lock bolt able to move between bolt-extended and bolt-retracted positions.

7. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the actuators comprises a recess that can be engaged by a respective one of the locking bars to prevent movement of the actuator.

8. A lock according to claim 7, wherein a foot of the engaging locking bar is adapted to engage the recess.

9. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the latch mechanism is spring biased towards its forward position.

10. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a selector that can be set so that the locking bars move in unison, and can be re-set so that one locking bar can move independently of the other locking bar to engage a respective one of the actuators with said other locking bar not engaging any of the actuators.

11. A lock according to claim 10, wherein the selector can be slid to align with one of the locking bars and can be subsequently slid to link the locking bars.

12. A lock according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the lock can be functioned by non destructively removing a key cylinder, or the key cylinder as the case may be, and manipulating the selector through an opening left by removal of the cylinder.

13. A lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the locking bars has a spring biased detent adapted to hold that locking bar clear of the actuators.

14. A lock according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the latch means has a bolt arranged for engagement with a strike plate of a doorway;

b) each actuator has a central hub and an outwardly extending arm, each arm arranged for engagement with the latch mechanism;

c) each actuator engages a handle activated snib;

d) at least one of the actuators has a recess (eg notch) for receiving a foot of one of the locking bars to prevent the actuator, on the one setting of the lock, from turning;

e) a selector that can be slid to-overlap the locking bars so that they are set to move in unison;

f) a key cylinder that can, when turned by a key, move at least one of the locking bars into engagement with one of the actuators; and

g) the selector can be accessed via an opening left on removal of the cylinder.

15. A lock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.