AU647236B2 - Improvements in and relating to lockable latch means - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRAJIA

Patents Act 1990 47236I Gc~~aE SPEG JE'I G2~LTI QI~ZI S 'r2~ D2~D 2 E INI 'I'

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: SCHLAGE (NZ) LIMITED Invention Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO LOCKABLE LATCH MEANS The following statement is a full description of this invei~hi-Eon, including the best method of performing it known to me: S

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2 This invention relates to the provision of lockable latch mechanisms. The invention has particular, though not exclusive, relevance to the provision of lockable latch. mechanisms for closures such as doors and the like.

For most lockable door latch arrangements, provision is made for the latch to be "left handed", "right handed" or "interconnected". The so-called "handing" of the latches refers to the side or sides of a locked door latch from which a user will be unable to o: open the door.

For example, the mechanism of a left handed door latch will be arranged so that when the latch is locked, the door knob or door handle on the left hand side of the latch will be rendered incapable of retracting the bolt into the latch to allow the door to be opened; when a left handed latch is locked, the door cannot be opened from the left hand sida without first unlocking the 20 latch's lock. However, the door knob or door handle on the right hand side of such a left handed door will be operable to open the door.

Further clarification of the handing of latches may be gained by reference to Figure 1 which shows inswinging doors 100 and 200 and outswinging doors 300 and 400. In each instance, the outside of the door is indicated by a capital X and the inside of the door is indicated by a capital Y. Keys such as key 500 are shown to indicate the side of the door from which ^AlI 1 locking of the latches, such as latch 600, occurs.

I 3 3- In this example, latch 600 is left handed. That is to say, when a key 500 is operated to lock the lock mechanism incorporated into latch 600, door handle 700 is rendered incapable of being operated to allow the door to be opened. However, operating door handle 800 will retract bolt 900 and allow door 200 to be opened.

Doors 100 and 300 include latches handed similarly to latch 600. That is to say, the latches have been arranged so that when the lock of each latch is locked, the door handle on the outside of the door will be rendered incapable of opening the door, but the door handle on the inside of the door will be capable of opening the door.

Therefore, doors 100 and 300 are "right handed".

As will be appreciated from a comparison of the doors in figure i, the relative orientations "left" and "right" may be determined with reference to the transverse axis indicated by dotted line 900 through door 300. Facing away from the hinged edge of the door 20 and looking towards the latched edge of the door along dotted line 900, "left" is to the left hand side of the door and "right is to the right hand side.

An example of an "interconnected" latch is provided by door 400. Even though key 501 is on the left hand side of the door, when the lock of latch 502 is locked, neither the inside (right hand) or outside (1Y hand) door handle is capable of opening door 400.

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-4 As may be appreciated, where a left handed door latch is provided for a door such as door 200, persons inside may move outside whether or not latch 600 is locked. This has major safety advantages, particularly where quick escape, for instance from fire and the like, is required from inside to outside.

To date, the construction of "handible" latches (that is to say lockable latches in which the handing is adjustable) has been such that the act of "handing" them (making them left handed, right handed or interconnected) has required a relatively high degree of skill and effort on the part of an operator. Typically, the operator has needed to dismantle and reassemble the mechanism to varying degrees. In some cases, once the cover or outer casing of the mechanism has been removed, only one or two parts have needed to be rearranged. In other cases, the dismantling, rearranging and reassembling-operations have been more extensive.

That a relatively high degree of skill and effort is required for such tasks has meant that those installing latch mechanisms which are required to be handed in a preselected way, or in which the handing *oo.: must be adjusted before use, typically do not attend to the handing themselves.

25 Typically, the requirements for the handing of latches in a building are set down by Architects, Interior Designers and the like and the handing S. operation takes place prior to supply to the installer.

9 For example, if an installer has forty latches to install, twenty-two of which are to be left handed and eighteen of which are to be right handed, typically the installer will need to order and be provided with left and right handed latches to those exact numbers.

For the installers, this is inconvenient, particularly where the latches actually supplied require some modification to their handing before they will be suitable for installation.

There is inconvenience for sup. ers, too. If the supplier wishes to maintain stock at hand for relatively swift delivery, the inventory will need to include left handed, right handed and interconnected latches.

It is therefore regarded as desirable to provide a lockable latch means which gives an operator such as an installer the opportunity to select which if any handles will be rendered incapable of opening the latch when its associated lock is locked.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of this *99# 20 invention to come some way in overcoming the *9 S' abovementioned problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

25 According to one aspect of this invention, there is S provided a lockable latch means for use with closure means, said latch means including housing .aeans, Stuaator means formed to receive door handle means from at least one at least one 6 side of said housing means, bolt means, and lock means, said bolt means positionable outwardly of said housing and retractable into said housing to assist in opening said closure, said actuator means actuable by door handle means received therein to retract said bolt means into said housing means, said latch means characterised in that said housing means exposes selection means operable to render said actuator means capable or incapable of retracting said bolt means under actuation by first handle means received from a first side of said housing means when said lock means is locked.

Other aspects of this invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred 15 and exemplary embodiment of the invention. The description is made in relation to the drawings in which: 9 9 20 Fi-ure 2 shows a schematic partly cut away plan view from the right hand side of one example of a lockable latch mechanism according to this invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic exploded, partly cut away oblique view of a detail of the example of the invention shown in Figure 2; and, Figure 4 shows a schematic, oblique view of a detail of the example of the invention shown in Figure 2.

The exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings and described as follows is given by way of example only.

7 The drawings and description are not intended to be definitive of the scope of this invention.

The exemplary latch mechanism is provided in suitable materials such as brass, mild steel and the like and formed by casting, turning or other suitable means.

With reference to Figure 2, the exemplary mechanism, latch 1, can be seen mounted in door 200.

Latch 1 includes a housing means in the nature of a casing which substantially encloses the majority of the moving parts of latch 1 in this example. In other examples of this invention, the housing means may be more open, in the nature of a frame in which the mechanism is housed.

Of the exemplary housing means, only casing 2 can be seen. Casing 2 is substantially rectangular on plan view and includes a wall portion 3 which is formed on three sides of the casing. In this example, a suibstantially similarly formed casing (not shown) is 20 mated with casing 2 in use.

S.A plate is provided for side 4 of the latch through f, 4 which the bolt means of this example, bolt 5, is able to Smove between an extended position (as shown) 'n which the door is latched to close, and a retracted position 25 in which end portions 6 of bolt 5 are positioned relatively inwardly of the latch. As will be appreciated with the bolt 5 in the latter position, the door will be latched to assist opening.

-8- In this example, the bolt is biased by spring means (not shown) to the extended position shown in the drawings.

An exemplary actuator means is provided which includes, amongst other things, a door handle engaging portion, insert 7, and retractor means, retractor 8. In this example, the door handle spindle engages in recess 9 of the actuator. A hole is provided in the casing to expose recess 9 and assist engagement of the spindle.

The retractor and insert 7 are rotatable, in accordance with the turning of the handle, within the sleeve formed by moving means 100; this and other aspects of the construction may be appreciated also with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

In this example enlargement 10 on retractor 8 is 0 arranged to engage with portions of bolt 5 such that, upon rotation of retractor 8 in the direction of arrow S• 11, th3 bolt 5 will be retracted towards and into the 20 casing 2. The direction of movement of bolt S"consequent upon movement of the actuator 8 in direction 11 is shown by arrow 12.

In this example, the retractor 8is biased for movement oppositely to the arrow 11 by spring means to ensure that under normal operating conditiono the retractor 8 will reposition as shown in Figure 4 when the door handle is released by an operator.

The views shown in the drawings are from the right hand side of the exemplary latch. The door handle which engages with recess 9 is thus the right hand door handle of the latch.

As can be seen, particularly with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the exemplary actuator means also includes a retractor 8a.

Associated with the retractor 8a in this example of the invention is another insert (not shown) formed to be substantially similar to insert 7. A recess similar to recess 9 is provided in the other insert, and casing 2 is provided with a hole to expose the recess and allow the spindle of a door handle to engage therein from the left hand side of the latch, The retractor 8a functions in substantially the same manner as retractor 8.

In the exemplary embodiment, the holes provided to assist engagement of door handle spindles with the actuator means are formed to fit snugly around the walls of the inserts so to stabilise and assist the rotation of the actuator means. Az can be seen from the drawing, 20 wall 201 is provided on insert 7 for this purpose.

Movement of retractor 8 and insert 7 within the sleeve provided by moving means 100 is independent of oe the movement of retractor 8a and its associated insert.

A washer means or the like is preferably provided to 25 space the inserts from one another and to assist independent movement of the two sets of inserts and retractors of this example.

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10 *6 *.c 9 9 9*9* Thus it will be appreciated that both enlargement and enlargement 10a are independently movable, through operation from tha right and left handed sides, respectively, of the exemplary latch mechanism.

Indeed, as shown in the drawings, upon actuation of the actuator means from either the left hand side or the right hand side of the latch 1, the retractors 8 and 8a will move (by way of rotation to bring the enlargements into engagement with the bolt 5) to retract bolt 5 to a position in which the door may be opened.

The lock means for the exemplary latches is shown as lock means 101 in Figure 2. The lock means includes a tumbler portion 102 (shown only in Figure a link portion 103, moving means 100, and carrier means, carrier 13.

Carrier 13 carries catches 14 and 14a.

In this example, carrier 13 is mounted on the housing of latch mechanism 1 for pivotal movement 20 relative to the actuator means. The carrier 13 (and catches 14 and 14a) pivot about pin 15 in this example.

The moving means 100 is rotatable substantially independently of and about substantially the same rotational axis as the inserts and retractors of this aeamples of the invention.

Thus, by locking lock means 101 (through a typical action of turning the appropriate key in it), link means 103 is slid in direction 104. As a result, moving means 100 will rotate relative to the inserts (insert 7 and i.i the other not shown) and the retractors 8 and 8a.

9 9e e 9 9 9 a I4 11 Moving means 100 is provided with an enlargement 105 which is shown as being engaged in a recess 106 formed in carrier 13.

Thus, as the lock means is locking and link 103 moves in the direction of arrow 104 and moving means 100 rotates (substantially in the direction of arrow 11), so carrier 13 will pivot towards the a(tuator means, eventually to lie alongside wall 107 of moving means 100.

As will be seen with reference to Figures 3 and 4 in particular, the arrangement of the exemplary carrier 13 and retractors 8 and 8a is such that, of itself, carrier 13 will not interfere with the rotation of retractors 8 or 8a when it pivots towards the actuator to lie alongside wall 107 of moving means 100; in this example, the retractors 8 and 8a are spaced apart axially and the dimensions of the carrier means are such that it fits within the space formed between them.

Thus, mere movement of the carrier means towards the 20 actuator will not in this example of the invention interrupt any movement of the retractors 8 and 8a intended to withdraw bolt 5 and facilitate or at least assist the opening of the door.

However, it will be appreciated that if the catch 25 means, catches 14 and 14a, are carried by carrier 13 towards the actuator and the retractors, so ends 108 and 108a of the catches 14 and 14a will lie in the path of and engage in recesses 109 and 109a of retractors 8 and 8a, respectively.

12 Thus, depending on whether the carrier moves catch 14, catch 14a or both catches when it is moved towards the actuator, the catches may be used to interrupt the rotational movement of the retractors and prevent the latch being operated from one or another or both sides of the latch; selection of which catches will move with the carrier allows an operator to select right handed, left handed or interconnected operation of the latch.

As was mentioned earlier, in this example of the invention, the act of locking the door involves operating lock means 101 by turning a key (not shown) in tumbler 102 to a locked position. Turning the key to the locked position and thereby lock_.-ng the lock causes link means 103 to slide in direction 104. A consequential movement is created in the moving means and carrier.

If the exemplary latch is to be right handed, so catches 14 and 14a and the carrier 13 will need to be arranged so that, upon locking, retractor 8 (connectable with the right hand door handle) has its movement to open the bolt interrupted by catch 14 and retractor 8a (connetable with the left hand door handle) does not have its movement to open the bolt interrupted by catch 14a.

As was mentioned earlier, the catches in this example, like carrier 13, are provided to be pivotable about pin 15. Pin 15 is arranged to position substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the actuator.

13 Screw 110 and another (not shown) which form part of the selection means of this example of the invention are operable to determine the movement of catches 14 and 14a, respectively, relative to the carrier.

In this example, biasing means in the form of springs (one of which is shown in Figure 2) are provided in connection with the catches 14 and 14a to bias the catches for movement away from the retractors 8 and 8a.

The exemplary biasing means are provided in the form of compression springs interconnected between each catch and the carrier 13. In this example the springs are connected with stop means 300 and 300a of catches 14 and 14a and oppositely disposed portions of carrier 13.

The exemplary biasing means, spring 111, is shown in Figure 2. Stop means 300 and 300a are seen in Figure 3.

Screw 110 is eng-.ed in a screw hole (not shown) in carrier 13 to fix the catch 14 to the carrier. Thus, the catch 14 will pivot to move with carrier 13 as 20 carrier 13 pivots about pin By operating screw 110 so that it does not engage with the screw hole in carrier 13 or by removing the screw altogether so that the catch 14 is not fixed to the carrier, so the spring interconnecting catch 14 and 25 carrier 13 will operate to urge catch 14 away from the to "retractor 8 and press the catch 14 against the wall 3 of casing 2. Carrier 13 will then be free to pivot towards and away from the retractors without carrying catch 14 with it.

14 Catch 14a operates similarly.

As will be appreciated, in other forms of the invention alternative selection means will be used. For example, in one alternative catch means such as catch means 14 are' biased for movement with the carrier means and the operation of fixing means such as screws or the like holds the catch means back from movement with the carrier means.

Returning, however, to the embodiment shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that, provided screw 110 is adjusted so that it does not fix catch 14 to carrier 13, catch 14 will be biased to press against the wall of the latch casing and will continue to press against the casing wall (rather than move towards the actuator means) as carrier 13 moves towards the actuator and retractor 8.

In order to set the exemplary latch up as a right "handed latch, therefore, a user must ensure that catch 20 14 is arranged to move with carrier 13 and that catch 0* 14a is arranged to be free to move independently of the carrier 13 when the lock 101 is locked. This is achieved by ensuring that the selection means associated with the retractor 8 are operated to ensure catch 14 will engage with carrier 13 and by ensuring that the selection means associated with retractor 8a are operated or adjusted so that the catch 14a does not engage with carrier 13 when the lock 101 is locked.

15 In this example, by adjusting screw 110 to engage catch 14 with carrier 13, the s'-lection means operates cause the catch 14 to move with the carrier 13. And, by adjusting the screw associated with catch 14a to ensure that the catch 14a and carrier 13 are able to move independently, the selection means is operated to prevent the catch 14a from moving with the carrier 13.

Thus, in this example of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the latch is adjusted for right handed operation as set out above, adjusted for left handed operation by operating the selection means to ensure catch 14a moves with the carrier to interrupt the movement of retractor 8a and that catch 14 does not move to interrupt retractor 8, and adjusted for interconnected operation by operating the selection means to ensure both catches move with the carrier to interrupt the movement of both retractors when the lock 101 is locked.

In this example, holes are provided in the latch 20 casing to expose the screw so that an operator, when a 4 handing the latch, need merely turn the lock means to the unlocked position and adjust or remove the screws to select the deiired handing.

In other examples of the invention where 4ixing 25 means of this type are used, the housing means may e0 expose selection means for operation no matter whether the lock is locked, unlocked or somewhere in between.

However, it will be appreciated that for the purposes of 16 security, it is preferred that the exposure of the selection means for handing should take place only when the lock is unlocked.

Thus, it will be appreciated that by this invention there are provided improvements in and relating to lockable latch mechanisms. In at least one embodiment, the act of handing the lock can be achieved without the necessity to dismantle or otherwise disassemble the latch. And, relatively little skill and effort is required in the handing operation. Consequently handing can be do ,e on site, if required. And, inventory numbers can be reduced.

The invention has been described in relation to one preferred embodiment. It is stressed that this embodiment is given by way of example only and is not intended to be definitive of the scope of the invention.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents *0 20 are hereby incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from *4 25 the scope or spirit of the invention as defined.in the attached claims.

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Claims (17)

1. A lockable latch means for use with closure means, said latch means including housing means, actuator means formed to receive door handle means from at least one side of said housing means, bolt means, and lock means, said bolt means positionable outwardly of said housing and retractable into said housing to assist in opening said closure, said actuator means actuable by door handle means received therein to retract said bolt means into said housing means, said latch means characterised in that said housing means exposes selection means operable to render said actuator means capable or incapable of retracting said bolt means under actuation by first handle means received from a first side of said housing means when said lock means is locked.

S2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein retractor means are capable of moving to engage with and retract said bolt means during actuation of said actuator means, said selection means being operable to cause catch means to interrupt or not to interrupt the movemenit of said retractor means when said lock means is locked.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein locking said lock means moves catch carrier means and said retractor means towards one another, said selection I i I 18 means being operable to cause said catch means to move with said carrier means relative to said retractor means so as to interrupt the movement of said retractor means when said lock means is locked.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said selection means is operable to prevent said catch means from moving with said carrier means relative to said retractor means when said lock means is locked. 0

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein S. e* said catch means is biased for movement away from said retractor means. *SSS**

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 wherein said selection means includes fixing means engagable with said catch means to position S" said catch means relative to said carrier means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6 wherein said carrier means pivots towards said retractor means during locking of said lock means, said selection means being operable to cause said catch means to pivot or not to pivot with said carrier means so as to interrupt the movement of said retractor means when said lock means is locked. 19

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said catch means and said carrier means share a pivotal axis substantially parallel to a rotational axis of said retractor means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 8 and 9 wherein said lock means provides moving means engagable with said carrier means to pivot said carrier means relative to said retractor means during locking of said lock means.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said moving means is provided as sleeve means housing at least part of said actuator means to assist rotation thereof. S S S S S.o S S S S 9 S S S S

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 wherein said selection means is operable to render said actuator means capable or incapable of 20 retracting said bolt means under actuation by said first 20 handle means received from said first side of said housing means when said lock means is locked, and said selection means is operable to render said actuator means capable or incapable of retracting said bolt means under actuation by second handle means received from a second side of said housing means when said lock means is locked. I 20

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein first and second of said selection means are provided which correspond to said first and second handle means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first side of said housing means exposes said first selection means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second side of said housing means exposes said second selection means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 11 to 14 when dependent on claim 2 wherein first retractor means move to engage with and retract said S: bolt means during actuation of said actuator means by said first handle means, first selection means being operable to cause first catch means to interrupt or not 0*ee 2 to interrupt the movement of said first retractor means 20 when said lock means is locked, and second retractor means move to engage with said bolt means during actuation of said actuator means by said second handle means, second selection means being operable to cause second catch means to interrupt or not to interrupt the movement of said second retractor means when said lock means is locked. Cj F' 21

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 when dependent on claim 8 wherein said first and second retractor means are axially spaced apart pivotal movement of said first or said second or both said catch means with said carrier means causing said catch means to contact and engage with said first or said second or said both retractor means.

17. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4. DATED this SEVENTEENTH day of DECEMBER 1993. SCHLAGE (NZ) LIMITED By: THOMSON PIZZEY 0 0 0 o 0 0* I ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE This invention provides improvements in connection with the handing of lockable latches wherein a latch housing exposes selection means operable so as to render a latch actuator capable or incapable of retracting the latch bolt when the latch lock is locked. s o 2 0 255