AU2020204253A1

AU2020204253A1 - Double door lock assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2020204253A1
Application number: AU2020204253A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ola BARSHTMAN; Timothy James DICKINS; Callan MOREY
Original assignee: Lock Focus Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Lock Focus Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-04
Filing date: 2020-06-26
Publication date: 2021-01-21

Abstract

This invention relates to a lock assembly 1 particularly adapted to latch and lock a double door arrangement with an inner door such as a screen door and an outer sold screen cover door. Such double door arrangements being commonly used in transportable homes or caravans. The lock assembly 1 includes a least one latching mechanism having a retractable latch member operatively adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame; a least one connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, wherein the operating system disengages the latching mechanism when the operating system operates the connection mechanism to release connection between the first door and the second door. Figure 1 1/9 12 1 11 74 53 45 38 50 16 37 3 35 46 43 47 3 -- 31 ell 19 37 3 41 0- - -1 0-1 18 14 Figure 1

Description

1/9

12 1

11

74

53

45 38 50 16 37

3 35 46 43 47 -- 31 3

ell 19 37

3

41 0- - -1 0-1 18 14

Figure 1

DOUBLEDOORLOCKASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a lock assembly particularly adapted to latch and lock a double door arrangement such as, for example, a double door arrangement with an inner door and an outer door, both being hinged on the same hinge axis or on two closely adjacent hinge axes. The inner door may be a secure screen door and the outer door might be a relatively solid screen cover door. Such double door assemblies are commonly used in transportable homes or caravans but the current invention, while usable in such applications, is not limited thereto.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Australian patent no. 771114 discloses a latch and lock assembly for a double door arrangement typically for use in caravans. In this disclosure the latch and lock assembly is mechanically configured and operated primarily by rotation of a conventional key in a key barrel. The latch and lock assembly of Australian patent no. 771114 can either hold the inner and outer doors connected together so that the two doors are able to swing in connected movement, or the latch and lock assembly can selectively release the two doors so that each door can be moved from a closed to an open position independently of the other. The latch and lock assembly of Australian patent no. 771114 includes a releasable locking mechanism that is adapted to latch at least one of the two doors to a surrounding door frame, and also includes a releasable connection mechanism that is adapted to releasably connect the two doors. A mechanical operating mechanism including a handle, allows a user to control both the latching of the door to the surround frame and the connection or separation of the doors to or from one another. Actuation of the handle of the operating mechanism by a first predetermined movement releases the latching of the doors from the surround frame and by a second predetermined movement releases both the latching of the door and the door connection mechanism to allow the doors to be separated. The arrangement disclosed in Australian patent no. 771114 has been successfully used for a number of years.

[0003] Australian patent application no. 2016219722 discloses a latch and lock assembly of the aforementioned kind that provides greater security and simplicity of use by including in such a latch and lock design actuation by electrical drive means in association with an electrical based actuator, in addition to the existing mechanical system whereby the electrical actuation and the mechanical actuation systems can work independently of each other.

[0004] The latch and lock assemblies disclosed in these earlier patents have a number of drawbacks. For example, when the door connection mechanism is operated to separate the doors, the rotating latch member is also simultaneously operated. Accordingly, if the door is in latched engagement with the surround frame when the connection mechanism is operated, the doors will be released and be free to swing open.

[0005] By reference to Australian patent no. 771114 and Australian patent application no. 2016219722, we incorporate herein so much of their disclosure as is necessary for a proper understanding of the present invention as described hereafter.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a lock assembly of the above described general type which has one or more improved features.

[0007] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: a least one latching mechanism having a retractable latch member operatively adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame; a least one connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, wherein the operating system disengages the latching mechanism when the operating system operates the connection mechanism to release connection between the first door and the second door.

[0009] The operating system may include a mechanical actuation member operable from an inner side of the double door arrangement, a first predetermined movement of the mechanical actuation member actuating the latching mechanism and a second predetermined movement actuating the connection mechanism. The mechanical actuation member may be a rotatable handle, the first predetermined movement and the second predetermined movement being in opposite rotational direction of said rotatable handle.

[0010] The operating system may further include a driver mechanism for transmitting said first rotational movement of the handle to the latching mechanism and said second rotational movement to the connection mechanism, the driver mechanism including at least one rotatable gear member connected with both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, the rotatable gear member including a catch pin for retracting the latch member upon said first rotational movement of the handle, the catch pin disengaging with the latch member upon said second rotational movement of the handle.

[0011] The connection mechanism preferably includes a cam member mounted on the rotatable gear member, the cam member being received between legs of a spring of the connection mechanism, the cam member spreading the legs upon said second rotational movement of the handle to allow a male protruding knob associated with one of said doors to disengage said legs thereby enabling the first and second doors to be separated.

[0012] The operating system may also include a mechanical actuation member operable from an outer side of the double door arrangement, the mechanical actuation member on said outer side functioning to actuate the latching mechanism only.

[0013] The mechanical actuation member on said outer side can be pivotally mounted to an external fascia body of the lock assembly and moves between a rest position, in which the mechanical actuation member lies against the external fascia body, and an operational position in which the actuation member is pivoted downwardly away from the external fascia body to actuate the latching mechanism.

[0014] The driver mechanism preferably includes an elongate strip having slots therein, and at least one vertical slide bar having projections therein on one side for engagement in said slots, and a gear rack on the other side of the slide bar for engaging with the rotatable gear member. The elongate strip is constructed of a plurality of interconnected segments such that the length of the elongate strip can be varied.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the driver mechanism operates a plurality of latching mechanisms and associated latch members to provide multiple latching points for the first door to the frame, and/or a plurality of connection mechanisms to provide multiple connection points between the two doors.

[0016] Each latch member is preferably mounted for horizontal movement to interact with a latch strike plate fixed to or on said door frame to hold at least one of said first or said second doors in fixed relation to the door frame or to release one or both said first and said second doors from said door frame. Horizontal movement of each latch member resulting from vertical movement of the elongate strip.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: at least one latching mechanism operatively adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame; at least one releasable connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, wherein the operating system includes a mechanical actuation member operable from an outer side of the double door arrangement, the mechanical actuation member being pivotally mounted to an external fascia body of the lock assembly, the mechanical actuation member being pivotable between a rest position, in which the mechanical actuation member lies against the external fascia body, and an operational position in which the actuation member is pivoted away from the external fascia body to control the latching mechanism, wherein the lock assembly further includes a locking arrangement for locking the actuation member in the rest position.

[0018] The locking arrangement may include a sliding plate for releasably retaining a tab member of the actuation member within an opening provided in the external fascia body. The locking arrangement may further include a keypad and lock barrel operatively connected to the sliding plate to control engagement of the sliding plate with the tab member.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: a plurality of spaced apart latch members adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame, each latch member being associated with a corresponding latching mechanism; at least one connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control each latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, the operating system including a mechanical actuation member operable from an inner side of the double door arrangement, a first predetermined movement of the actuation member actuating each latching mechanism and a second predetermined movement actuating the connection mechanism, the operating system further including a driver mechanism for transmitting said first predetermined movement of the actuation member to each latching mechanism and said second predetermined movement to the connection mechanism, the driver mechanism including an elongate strip constructed of a plurality of interconnected segments such that the length of the elongate strip can be varied to provide a suitable length for the driver mechanism to operatively connect each latching mechanism.

[0020] Each latch member is preferably mounted linearly to interact with a latch strike plate fixed to or on said door frame to hold at least one of said first or said second doors in fixed relation to the door frame or to release one or both said first and said second doors from said door frame, vertical movement of said elongate strip causing horizontal linear movement of each latch member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly according to the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly from the exterior side showing both inner and outer parts with some parts omitted;

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the various components of the latching mechanism and connection mechanism housed within one of the latch casings at spaced intervals along the elongate strip;

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the latch casing illustrated in Figure 2 in engagement with a latch strike plate;

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 but with the latch casing omitted to show the internal components;

[0027] Figure 5 is a partial detailed perspective view of the external pull handle of the lock assembly in an unlocked, operational position in which the handle is pivoted away from the external fascia body of the lock assembly;

[0028] Figure 6 is a partial detailed perspective view similar to Figure 5 showing the external pull handle locked in a non-operational rest position;

[0029] Figure 7 is a side view of the internal components of the latch casing illustrated in Figure 3 showing the latch in a fully retracted position;

[0030] Figure 8 is a side view of the internal components of the latch casing illustrated in Figure 3 showing the latch in a fully extended position and a cam member spreading the legs of the connection mechanism;

[0031] Figure 9 is a perspective view of one segment of the elongate strip of the driver mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a lock assembly 1 for installation on a double door arrangement (not illustrated) having an inner door and an outer door hinged on a common hinge axis or on closely adjacent parallel hinge axis within a common door frame. The lock assembly 1 has an inner part 12 adapted to be mounted on an inwardly facing surface of the inner (main) door and an outer part 14 including an outer external fascia body 3 adapted to be mounted to an outwardly facing surface of the inner door with regions of the outer part 14 extending through an opening or cut-out in the outer door. In one form, the inner (main) door may be of fly screen or security mesh type and the outer (secondary) door may function as a panel member which covers the fly screen or security mesh of the inner door when the inner and outer doors are in a closed position.

[0033] The inner part 12 has a mechanical actuation member which is preferably in the form of a gripable inner handle 16 adapted to be partially rotated to effect selectively either linear movement of a latch member 5 to disengage same from a latch strike plate 7 to allow the inner and outer doors to be swung, in connected configuration, to an open position, or to effect separation of the outer door from the inner door. Conveniently, the inner handle 16 might be rotated downwardly to effect disengagement of the latch member 5 from the latch strike plate 7 and in an upward direction to effect separation of the inner and outer doors.

[0034] The inner part 12 further includes a slidable snib component 74 operatable by a person standing inside of the double door arrangement, and when the door arrangement is closed, lock the lock assembly without using a key.

[0035] On the external side of the inner door, a mechanical actuation member which is preferably in the form of an external pull handle 18, is pivotally mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the external fascia body 3 of the outer part 14 from a rest position generally parallel to the fascia body 3 to an operational position (Figure 5) in which the latch member 5 is retracted and the pull handle 18 can be gripped to enable the door to be pulled opened. In moving to the operational position (Figure 5), the latch member 5 is retracted to disengage from the latch strike plate 7. The pull handle 18 is preferably formed as a closed loop which is particularly advantageous when used in connection with a caravan door where a person usually has to reach up to grasp the pull handle 18.

[0036] The latch member 5 is part of a latching mechanism and is mounted for linear movement. The latching mechanism, together with a connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the inner and other doors, are housed in a latch casing 19 (Figure 3). While the illustrated embodiments generally show only a single latch casing 19, multiple latch casings 19 each having a latching mechanism and connection mechanism therein, are preferably provided to provide multiple latching points for the double door arrangement to the door frame. To this end, a driver mechanism is provided to activate each latching mechanism and connection mechanism. The driver mechanism preferably includes an elongate strip 11 capable of moving in an up and down direction. The elongate strip 11 includes slots 13 therein at appropriate locations along the elongate strip 11, the slots 13 interacting with corresponding projections associated with a vertical slide bar 17 which projects from a rear of each latch casing 19. Each vertical slide bar 17 is part of the driver mechanism and includes a gear rack 21 on one side and the projections 15 on the other side.

[0037] With reference to Figures 4, 7 and 8, the driver mechanism further incudes a rotatable gear member 23 in each latch casing 19. Each rotatable gear member 23 is engaged with the gear rack 21 of the corresponding vertical slide bar 17. The rotatable gear member 23 includes a catch pin 25 engagable with the latch member 5. Mounted on the rotatable gear member 23 is a cam member 27 which forms part of the connection mechanism. The connection mechanism further includes a resilient biasing means in the form of a spring 90 mounted within the latch casing 19. The spring 90 includes a pair of legs 92 which are urged towards one another. With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, a male protruding knob 29 is provided on a connector plate 31. The connector plate 31 is mounted on a rear face the outer door such that when the inner and outer doors are positioned adjacent one another, the male protruding knob 29 passes through an aperture 88 in the lock casing 19 and is held between the legs 92 of the spring 90 as shown in Figure 4. In this orientation, the inner and outer doors are held connected together. Actuation of the external pull handle 18 causes the latch member 5 to retract into the latch casing 19 via rotation of the rotatable gear member 23 counter clockwise to the position shown in Figure 7. The rotatable gear member 23 carries the cam member 27 that, in use is received between the legs 92 of the spring 90. Rotation of the inner handle 16 in a predetermined direction and distance will cause the cam member 27 to spread the legs 92 (as shown in Figure 8) sufficiently to allow the male protruding knob 29 to be disengaged therefrom and allow the inner and outer doors to be separated.

[0038] The internal handle 16 and the external pull handle 18 form part of the operating system adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism. The driver mechanism also forms part of the operating system and includes a gear rack member 33 projecting from one side of the elongate strip 11 (as shown in Figure 1). The operating system further includes a rotatable toothed member 35 having a connection element 37 at one end which inserts into an end socket 38 of the internal handle 16. Actuation of the internal handle 16 by a first predetermined movement actuates the latching mechanism. In this regard, the first predetermined movement is downwards rotation of the internal handle 16 which causes the rotatable toothed member 35 to move the elongate strip 11 in an upwards direction by virtue of the toothed member 35 engaging with the gear rack member 33. This results in the rotatable gear member 23 moving from a neutral position with respect to the vertical slide bar 17 (as shown in Figure 4) to a latch retraction position (as shown in Figure 7) in which teeth of the rotatable gear member 23 are engaged with a lower end of the gear rack 21 of the vertical slide bar 17. Actuation of the internal handle 16 by a second predetermined movement actuates the connection mechanism. In this regard, the second predetermined movement is upwards rotation of the internal handle 16 which causes the rotatable toothed member 35 to move the elongate strip 11 in a downwards direction. This results in the rotatable gear member 23 moving from the neutral position with respect to the vertical slide bar 17 (as shown in Figure 4) to a door release position (as shown in Figure 8) in which teeth of the rotatable gear member 23 are engaged with an upper end of the gear rack 21 of the vertical slide bar 17 and the catch pin 25 is out of engagement with the latch member 5.

[0039] Movement of the external pull handle 18 can also actuate the latching mechanism and the associated latch member 5 by means of the same elongate strip 11 and gear rack member 33 projecting from one side of the elongate strip 11. In this respect, in moving the external pull handle 18 to the operational position (Figure 5), a projecting foot member 35 of the pull handle 18 pivots upwardly to lift the gear rack member 33 and the associated elongate strip 11. The lifting action imparted is equivalent to the lift provided to the elongate strip 11 when the internal handle 16 is rotated downwards to disengage the latch member from the latch strike plate 7. Unlike the internal handle 16, the external pull handle 18 is only able to actuate the latching mechanism as the projecting foot member 35 is not able to impart downward movement on the gear rack member 33 and the associated elongate strip 11.

[0040] The external pull handle 18 is also able to be locked in the rest position (Figure 6) such that the pull handle 18 cannot be pulled to the operative position. In this regard, the lock assembly 1 further includes a locking arrangement having a slide plate 37 which is able to be moved vertically between a locked position and an unlocked position. The external pull handle 18 includes a tab member 39 projects through on opening in the external fascia body 3 when the pull handle 18 is in the rest position. When the pull handle 18 is in this position, the slide plate 37 can be moved downwardly to the locked position (as shown in Figure 6) in which the slide plate 37 prevents release of the tab member 39 from the external fasica body 3. The slide plate 37 can also be moved upwardly to the unlocked position which then enables the tab member 39 to be released from the external fascia body 3 when the pull handle 18 is pivoted to the operative position (as shown in Figure 5).

[0041] The locking arrangement further includes a lock barrel 41 and an associated cylinder lock configuration 43 which functions to actuate the slide plate 37. In this respect the slide plate 37 can be actuated mechanically by insertion of a key into the lock barrel 41, or alternatively by electronic means. In this regard, the locking arrangement further includes an electric motor 45 and associated gear arrangement operatively connected to the slide plate 37. The electric motor 45 is controlled via a keypad 47 of the locking arrangement to actuate the slide plate 37. More specifically, the electric motor 45 rotates a motor gear 46 which transfers movement to a compound gear 48 which in turn transfers movement to a barrel gear adaptor 50. The barrel gear adaptor 50 rotates the attached cylinder lock configuration 43 which provides upwards/downwards movement to the slide plate 37. The external pull handle 18 is thereby able to be locked either mechanically by key or electronically via the keypad 47. In addition to locking the external pull handle 18, the locking arrangement is able to lock the gear rack member 33 and associated elongate strip 11 of the driver mechanism. As the external pull handle 18 is able to be locked via the slide plate 37, an unauthorised load from a forced entry attempt should not be transmitted through to the elongate strip 11 of the driver mechanism. This advantageous allows for a more secure lock assembly. The locking of the pull handle 18 in the rest position also advantageously provides a clear indicator as to the status of the lock assembly 1 being in a locked state. As mentioned previously, the slidable snib component 74 can also be operated by a person standing inside of the double door arrangement, and when the door arrangement is closed, to lock the lock assembly 1 without using a key.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the elongate strip 11 is constructed of a plurality of interconnected segments 49 which allow for the overall length of the elongate strip 11 to be varied. As illustrated in Figure 9, each segment 49 includes a male connector 51 at one end and a female connector 53 at the opposite end. The segments 49 are clip together to form the desired length to cater for the separation distance between each latch casing 19. The male connector 51 is able to seat within the female connector 53 in a manner which, in use, only permits movement in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate strip 11.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: a least one latching mechanism having a retractable latch member operatively adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame; a least one connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, wherein the operating system disengages the latching mechanism when the operating system operates the connection mechanism to release connection between the first door and the second door.

2. A lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the operating system includes a mechanical actuation member operable from an inner side of the double door arrangement, a first predetermined movement of the mechanical actuation member actuating the latching mechanism and a second predetermined movement actuating the connection mechanism.

3. A lock assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical actuation member is a rotatable handle, the first predetermined movement and the second predetermined movement being in opposite rotational direction of said rotatable handle.

4. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the operating system further includes a driver mechanism for transmitting said first rotational movement of the handle to the latching mechanism and said second rotational movement to the connection mechanism, the driver mechanism including at least one rotatable gear member connected with both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, the rotatable gear member including a catch pin for retracting the latch member upon said first rotational movement of the handle, the catch pin disengaging with the latch member upon said second rotational movement of the handle.

5. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the connection mechanism includes a cam member mounted on the rotatable gear member, the cam member being received between legs of a spring of the connection mechanism, the cam member spreading the legs upon said second rotational movement of the handle to allow a male protruding member associated with one of said doors to disengage said legs thereby enabling the first and second doors to be separated.

6. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the operating system includes a mechanical actuation member operable from an outer side of the double door arrangement, the mechanical actuation member on said outer side functioning to actuate the latching mechanism only.

7. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mechanical actuation member on said outer side is pivotally mounted to an external fascia body of the lock assembly and moves between a rest position, in which the mechanical actuation member lies against the external fascia body, and an operational position in which the actuation member is pivoted downwardly away from the external fascia body to actuate the latching mechanism.

8. A lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the driver mechanism includes an elongate strip having slots therein, and at least one vertical slide bar having projections therein on one side for engagement in said slots, and a gear rack on the other side of the slide bar for engaging with the rotatable gear member.

9. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the elongate strip is constructed of a plurality of interconnected segments such that the length of the elongate strip can be varied.

10. A lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the driver mechanism operates a plurality of latching mechanisms and associated latch members to provide multiple latching points for the first door to the frame, and/or a plurality of connection mechanisms to provide multiple connection points between the two doors.

11. A lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: at least one latching mechanism operatively adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame; at least one releasable connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control both the latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, wherein the operating system includes a mechanical actuation member operable from an outer side of the double door arrangement, the mechanical actuation member being pivotally mounted to an external fascia body of the lock assembly, the mechanical actuation member being pivotable between a rest position, in which the mechanical actuation member lies against the external fascia body, and an operational position in which the actuation member is pivoted away from the external fascia body to control the latching mechanism, wherein the lock assembly further includes a locking arrangement for locking the actuation member in the rest position.

12. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the locking arrangement includes a sliding plate for releasably retaining a tab member of the actuation member within an opening provided in the external fascia body.

13. A lock assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the locking arrangement further includes a keypad and lock barrel operatively connected to the sliding plate to control engagement of the sliding plate with the tab member.

14. A lock assembly for a double door arrangement having a first door and a second door, in use, being pivotally mounted for movement about either a common pivot axis or closely adjacent parallel pivot axis to a door frame, the lock assembly being selectively operable to hold the first door to the second door in a connected mode for connected pivotal movement or to release said first and said second doors from said connected mode whereby said first and said second doors are capable of independent pivotal movement, said lock assembly further enabling at least one of said first or said second doors to be releasably latched to or latched and locked to said door frame, the lock assembly including: a plurality of spaced apart latch members adapted to releasably latch at least one of said first and said second doors to the door frame, each latch member being associated with a corresponding latching mechanism; at least one connection mechanism operatively adapted to releasably connect the first door to the second door; and an operating system operatively adapted to control each latching mechanism and the connection mechanism, the operating system including a mechanical actuation member operable from an inner side of the double door arrangement, a first predetermined movement of the actuation member actuating each latching mechanism and a second predetermined movement actuating the connection mechanism, the operating system further including a driver mechanism for transmitting said first predetermined movement of the actuation member to each latching mechanism and said second predetermined movement to the connection mechanism, the driver mechanism including an elongate strip constructed of a plurality of interconnected segments such that the length of the elongate strip can be varied to provide a suitable length for the driver mechanism to operatively connect each latching mechanism.

15. A lock assembly according to claim 14, wherein each latch member is mounted linearly to interact with a latch strike plate fixed to or on said door frame to hold at least one of said first or said second doors in fixed relation to the door frame or to release one or both said first and said second doors from said door frame, vertical movement of said elongate strip causing horizontal linear movement of each latch member.

LOCKFOCUSPTYLTD

P44786