CN111032980A

CN111032980A - Latch and/or locking assembly

Info

Publication number: CN111032980A
Application number: CN201880052646.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大卫·格林伯里; 哈里·兰布罗; G·威廉森
Original assignee: Oregon Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Oregon Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-18
Filing date: 2018-08-17
Publication date: 2020-04-17
Also published as: WO2019033147A8; WO2019033147A1; AU2018317488A1; AU2018317488B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a latch and/or locking assembly for operative engagement with a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle. The latching and/or locking assembly comprises: a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a corresponding or complementary recess; and a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess. The retractor mechanism includes a retractor member that pivots about the retractor axis to move the bolt to the retracted position and a force receiving component for receiving an input force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis. The force receiving component of the retractor mechanism is configured to engage the force providing component of the handle mechanism in a single or unique position.

Description

Latch and/or locking assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to latch assemblies or locking assemblies, and methods of installing such latch assemblies or locking assemblies.

The invention is particularly applicable to locking assemblies capable of operating in different modes. In the case of a locking assembly for use on a door, the operating mode typically comprises a latching mode or a pass-through mode, in which turning of the door handle can move the locking bolt of the locking assembly between an extended position for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess provided in the door frame and a retracted position for disengagement from said recess. The operational modes may also include a privacy mode that prevents retraction of the bolt by the door handle on the outside of the door. It will be convenient to describe the invention with reference to such embodiments, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the specific cases described.

Background

Locks are known which are capable of functioning in a variety of modes. Indeed, the applicant has marketed locking assemblies configured to operate in either a pass-through mode or a latching mode, a deadlock mode and/or a privacy mode. As described above, in the pass-through mode, rotation of either door handle withdraws the locking bolt from the first extended position to the retracted position to enable the door to be opened. In the privacy mode, it may be activated by a button or latch provided on the inside of the door, preventing the door handle on the outside of the door from retracting the bolt. Turning the inside door handle disables the privacy function, thereby permitting the door to open. In the deadlock mode, the key can be used to push the bolt to a further extended position to securely lock the door and make hard-running more difficult.

Conventional locking assemblies have been found to have problems with installation or assembly. In particular, it has been found that the components of the locking assembly can be mounted or combined such that, although appearing to be in their correct position, the components can still be incorrectly combined. Such improper installation or assembly can in turn lead to damage or failure of the locking assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel latch assembly or locking assembly which substantially overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages described above.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a latch and/or locking assembly for operative connection or engagement with a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle. The latching/locking assembly includes: a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a corresponding or complementary recess; and a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess. The retractor mechanism includes a retractor member that pivots about the retractor axis to move the bolt to the retracted position and a force receiving component for receiving a force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis. The force receiving component of the retractor mechanism is configured to engage the force providing component of the handle mechanism in a single or unique position.

In this manner, the latch/locking assembly may be configured such that the bolt retractor mechanism can be operatively connected with the handle mechanism in a directly obvious manner. That is, by designing a single or unique pose as would be apparent to a skilled artisan, the chance or expectation of a locking assembly being improperly installed or assembled may be significantly reduced or even eliminated. For convenience, the latch and/or locking assembly is referred to herein simply as the "locking assembly" because it typically includes or provides the locking function.

In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the bolt and bolt retractor mechanism is integrated or incorporated into a locking body unit that is configured as a stand-alone or separate unit of the assembly. Thus, by operatively interconnecting the bolt retractor mechanism and the handle mechanism via a single or unique engagement pose, the locking body unit can be quickly and simply combined with the other components of the assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the retractor axis is arranged substantially parallel to the handle axis. Further, the force-receiving component of the retractor mechanism is configured to operably engage the force-providing component of the handle mechanism between the handle axis and the retractor axis.

In at least one embodiment, the locking assembly may include a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle. In this manner, the handle mechanism, bolt retractor mechanism and bolt may be combined into an integrated locking assembly for installation in a door, gate, window or any similar portal.

Thus, according to another aspect, the present invention provides a locking assembly comprising: a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a corresponding recess; a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess; and a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle. The bolt retractor mechanism comprises a retractor member arranged to pivot about a retractor axis for moving the bolt to a retracted position and a force receiving component for receiving an input force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis. The force-providing component of the handle mechanism is configured to operably engage the force-receiving component of the retractor mechanism in a single or unique position.

In a preferred embodiment, the force providing component of the handle mechanism is configured to matingly engage with the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism in the single or unique pose. To this end, the force providing part of the handle mechanism has a first mating member and the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism has a second mating member, wherein the first and second mating members are configured to matingly engage with each other in a single or unique posture. In this aspect, at least one of the first and second cooperating members, and preferably both the first and second cooperating members, are elongate in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis, and the mating engagement occurs in the axial direction. In this way, the mounting or interconnection of the retractor mechanism and the handle mechanism is achieved by achieving their mating engagement in the axial direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the relative position of the first and second cooperating members in a single or unique attitude is adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis. In this case, at least one of the first and second cooperating members, and preferably both the first and second cooperating members, has a range substantially equal to a width dimension of a locking body unit comprising the bolt and the bolt retractor mechanism in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis. For example, one of the first and second mating members can include a keyway or slot and the other of the first and second mating members can include a complementary key, peg, or protrusion configured to be received within the keyway or slot. By providing adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second cooperating members in the axial direction when engaged in a single or unique attitude, the assembly can be adjusted to accommodate different door widths or thicknesses. This provides flexibility during installation, enabling the assembly to be adjusted to a range of different doors.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle mechanism comprises a drive gear rigidly or fixedly connected with the handle for driving movement of the force providing member in response to movement of the handle. The force providing member of the handle mechanism is preferably arranged to pivot about the retractor axis in response to movement of the handle about the handle axis, and the force providing member preferably comprises gear teeth which mesh with the drive gear. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the force providing member may be formed as an integral or unitary member. Thus, the mating member of the force providing means may be integrally or monolithically formed with the gear teeth of the force providing means, which gear teeth of the force providing means mesh with the drive gear of the handle mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism is integrally or monolithically formed with the retractor member. In this way, the force transmitted from the force providing part of the handle mechanism can be directly transmitted to the retractor member via the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a locking assembly providing operative connection with a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle. The locking assembly includes: a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess; and a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess. The retractor mechanism includes a retractor member pivotable about the retractor axis to move the bolt to the retracted position and a force receiving component for receiving a force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis. The method includes engaging a force-receiving member of a retractor mechanism with a force-receiving feature of a handle mechanism in a single or unique position.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises matingly engaging the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism with the force providing part of the handle mechanism in a single or unique position in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the retractor member and/or the handle axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises adjusting the relative position of the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism and the force providing part of the handle mechanism in the single or unique attitude in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, and in which like reference numerals represent like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking assembly according to a preferred embodiment, showing the locking assembly in a door in an incompletely installed state;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locking assembly, in accordance with the preferred embodiment and substantially as shown in FIG. 1, in a privacy mode;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking assembly, in either the pass-through mode or the lock-out mode, according to the preferred embodiment and substantially as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking assembly of FIG. 4 in a pass-through mode or a lock-out mode with the inner handle rotated; and

FIG. 6a is a side view of the locking assembly of FIG. 1 arranged for a thick door width;

FIG. 6b is a side view of the locking assembly of FIG. 1 arranged for a thin door width;

FIG. 7a is a perspective detail of the locking assembly for thick door widths of FIG. 6 a; and

fig. 7b is a perspective detail of the locking assembly of fig. 6b for thin door widths.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

It is to be understood that common and/or well-understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these embodiments. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. It will also be understood that certain actions and/or steps in embodiments of the methods may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.

Detailed Description

Referring first to fig. 1-3 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a locking assembly 100 for installation in a door D is shown. The locking assembly 100 includes a housing 10, and the handle mechanism 20 and the locking body unit 50 of the locking assembly 100 are mounted and supported on the housing 10 and/or within the housing 10. The housing 10 includes two

plate members

11, 12 for covering a cavity C formed in the door D in which the respective components of the handle mechanism 20 and the lock body unit 50 are held. The

plate members

11, 12 are fixed on the inside Si and outside So of the door D via screws 13, respectively, So that they cover and securely enclose the components of the handle mechanism 20 and the lock body unit 50 in the cavity C. The inner panel member 11 has an inwardly projecting or upstanding rim 14, said rim 14 surrounding or bounding a space for accommodating components of the handle mechanism 20 and the locking body unit 50, and the inwardly projecting rim 14 is sized and shaped to substantially match and be received within a cavity C formed in the door D.

The handle mechanism 20 includes an inner handle 21 on the inner side Si of the door D and an outer handle 22 on the outer side So of the door D, each of the

handles

21, 22 being mounted and supported on a respective one of the inner and

outer plate members

11, 12 of the housing 10 for manual movement or rotation about a handle axis 23. To this end, each of the

handles

21, 22 has a stub shaft 24, which stub shafts 24 are received and seated within respective holes 15 formed in each

plate member

11, 12. As shown in fig. 2 of the drawings, the handle mechanism 20 includes a torsion spring 25 within the housing 10 for resiliently biasing the inner handle 21 about the handle axis 23 to a neutral or non-rotated position. That is, when the inner handle 21 is manually rotated about the axis 23, it rotates against the bias of the torsion spring 25, which torsion spring 25 acts to return the handle 21 when released. Furthermore, the handle mechanism 20 comprises a hub member 26, said hub member 26 having an integrally formed driving gear 27, said driving gear 27 being non-rotatably fixed to the stub shaft 24 by means of a washer 28 and collar 29 arrangement specifically designed for this purpose. The washer 28 comprises two opposed inwardly directed rectangular tongue elements 30, which tongue elements 30 are received and engage in complementary slots 31 formed in the stub shaft 24. The washer 28 also has lateral projections 32, which lateral projections 32 seat and bear against corresponding shoulders 33 on the front side of the hub member 26. Then, when the collar 29 is disposed in the groove 34 at the end of the stub shaft 24, the washer 28 is locked against the hub member 26 so that the drive gear 27 is fixedly connected to the stub shaft 24 for rotation therewith.

In the embodiment, as will be seen from fig. 1-3, the lock assembly 100 of the embodiment includes a privacy mode subassembly 60 adjacent to an inner panel member 11 in the housing 10. The privacy mode subassembly 60 includes a button 61, the button 61 being disposed within the rectangular opening 16 in the plate member 11 and protruding through the rectangular opening 16 for user operation. The privacy mode subassembly 60 further includes a latch plate 62, the latch plate 62 having a downwardly projecting nose 63, the latch plate 62 being vertically movable between an upwardly retracted position and a downwardly engaged position under spring bias provided by two leaf spring elements 64. Referring again to fig. 1, it should be noted that the outer handle 22 on the outer side So of the door D comprises a hub member 35, the stem 36 of said hub member 35 being non-rotatably received within the stub shaft 24 of the outer handle 22. In this manner, the integrally formed plate 37 of the hub member 35 is also rotationally fixed relative to the outer handle 22. It should be noted that the plate 37 of the hub member 35 includes an integral projection (not shown) on the side of the hub member 26 facing the inner handle 21 that is configured to engage the hub member 26 and thereby transmit torque to the drive gear 27 when the outer handle 22 is rotated. When the button 61 of the privacy mode subassembly 60 is actuated or depressed, the latching plate 62 moves vertically downward under the bias of the spring element 64 from the retracted position to an engaged position in which the protruding nose 63 is received in and latches with the complementary recess 38 in the edge of the plate 37 of the hub member 35. In this manner, when the lever 36 is non-rotatably received in the shaft 24 of the outer door handle 22, the latch plate 62 engages the hub member 35 via the protruding nose 63 and interrupts or prevents rotation of the outer door handle 22. Turning the inside door handle 21, however, operates to disable the privacy function by moving the latch plate 62 vertically upward again to the retracted position under the bias of the spring element 64, thereby permitting the door D to be opened again by the outside door handle 22.

Referring now also to fig. 4 to 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that the locking body unit 50 is formed as a separate or independent sub-assembly or unit of the locking assembly 100 and comprises an outer shell 51 and a sleeve or tube 52, the sleeve or tube 52 extending from the outer shell 51 to an end plate 53, the end plate 53 being configured to be fastened at the edge of the door D via a backplate P and screws S. The lock body unit 50 has a key cylinder 54 that protrudes through a correspondingly shaped opening 17 in each of the inner and

outer plate members

11, 12 of the housing 10, and can be operated from both sides of the door D by a key (not shown) inserted into the key cylinder 54. In particular, by rotating the key in the key cylinder 54, a cam (not shown) located in the housing 51 and operatively associated with the key cylinder rotates with the key. The locking body unit 50 further comprises a bolt 55, said bolt 55 being configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess (not shown) provided in the door frame for alignment with the bolt 55 when the door D is closed. A bolt 55 is received within the sleeve or tube 52 for generally linear movement in or along the axial direction of the sleeve or tube 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the bolt 55 is designed to move between at least a first extended position, as shown in fig. 1, 3 and 4, and a retracted position, as shown in fig. 5, such that the locking assembly 100 can operate in either a pass-through mode or a latching mode. In the pass-through mode or the latch mode, turning a key (not shown) or turning either of the door handles 21, 22 operates to withdraw or retract the bolt 55 from a first extended position (fig. 3 and 4) in which the bolt 55 is positioned in latching engagement in a recess (not shown) in the door frame to a retracted position (fig. 5) so that the bolt 55 disengages the recess to enable the door to be opened. The locking assembly 100 of the described embodiment may also optionally be configured to move the bolt 55 to a second more extended position in response to turning of the key (i.e., in response to movement of the cam) to operate in the deadlock mode. However, this aspect of the locking assembly 100 will not be described in further detail.

The locking body unit 50 includes a bolt retractor mechanism 56 for moving the bolt 55 from the extended position (in fig. 3 and 4) into the sleeve or tube 52 to the retracted position (in fig. 5). The retractor mechanism 56 includes: a drive shaft 57 for pivoting or turning about the axis X and a force receiving member 58, said force receiving member 58 being provided on the drive shaft 57 and being formed integrally with the drive shaft 57, via which force receiving member 58 torque from either of the turning door handles 21, 22 is then transmitted to the locking body unit 50 for moving the bolt 55 in the pass-through mode or the locking mode. The retractor mechanism 56 further comprises a retractor member 59 (see fig. 3 and 4), which retractor member 59 is integrally formed with or rigidly connected to the drive shaft 57 and extends radially away from the retractor axis X of the drive shaft 57 into the housing 51 of the locking body unit 50 and terminates in a curved nose (not shown) that abuts and engages a bolt drive member (not shown) within the housing 51 for moving or retracting the bolt 55.

Referring to fig. 1-5, it can be seen that the handle mechanism 20 of the locking assembly 100 includes a force providing member 40, the force providing member 40 being operatively connected with the drive gear 27 for movement in response to pivotal movement of the

handles

21, 22. The force providing component 40 of the handle mechanism 20 includes an annular hub 41 and gear teeth 42 around the periphery of the hub 41, the gear teeth 42 being configured to mesh with the teeth of the drive gear 27 on the hub member 26. Furthermore, an annular hub 41 of the force providing means 40 is arranged on the stub shaft 18 protruding from the plate member 11 in the housing 10 for pivotal movement about an axis substantially coaxial with the retractor axis X in response to movement of either of the

handles

21, 22 about the handle axis 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the force providing member 40 is formed as a unitary or integral member and is typically made of steel or some other similar strong and durable material. The force providing part 40 of the handle mechanism comprises a portion 43 extending from the annular hub 41 substantially parallel to the axis X and comprises gear teeth 42 along its outer periphery. The portion 43 of the force providing member 40 has an elongated channel, slot or keyway 44 configured to receive a force receiving member 58 of the retractor mechanism 56 in mating engagement. To this end, the force receiving member 58 is desirably configured as an elongated peg or key having a profile or cross-section complementary to the shape of the elongated channel, slot or keyway 44. In this manner, interconnection of the retractor mechanism 56 and the handle mechanism 20 is achieved by achieving mating engagement of the force providing component 40 and the force receiving member 58 in the axial direction. Since the force providing means 40 in the described embodiment has a single channel or keyway 44 and the force receiving member 58 is formed as only a single complementary peg or key, the mating engagement can be achieved in a straightforward and obvious manner, as will be apparent to the skilled person installing the locking assembly 100. Since the locking body unit 50 is configured as a separate or independent subassembly or unit of the locking assembly 100, the locking body unit 50 can be quickly and simply combined with the other parts of the assembly 100 by operatively interconnecting the bolt retractor mechanism 56 with the force providing member 40 of the handle mechanism 20 in a single or unique engagement attitude. In this way, the chance or expectation of incorrect installation or assembly of the locking assembly may be reduced or even eliminated.

From the position shown in fig. 4, when the inside door handle 21 is turned or rotated clockwise through an angle of about 45 ° to the position shown in fig. 5, the drive gear 27 on the boss member 26 fixedly connected with the handle 21 is also turned or rotated. Because the teeth of the drive gear 27 mesh with the teeth 42 of the force-providing member 40, rotation or spinning of the drive gear 27 correspondingly drives the force-providing member 40 to move about the axis X of the stub shaft 18. The mating engagement between the portion 43 of the force providing means 40 and the force receiving member 48 of the bolt retractor mechanism 56 in turn transmits a force to the drive shaft 57 of the locking body unit 50 for moving the bolt 55 to the retracted position in fig. 5.

Referring now to fig. 6a-6b and 7a-7b, it will be apparent that the relative positions of the force receiving member 48 of the bolt retractor mechanism 56 and the channel, slot or keyway 44 of the force providing member 40 can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the retractor axis X and/or the handle axis 23. By providing adjustment in the axial direction in this manner when engaged, the locking assembly 100 can accommodate different door thicknesses during installation, thereby providing flexibility such that the assembly can accommodate a range of different doors D. In this regard, fig. 6a and 7a illustrate the locking assembly 100 adapted to be installed in a larger thickness door D, while fig. 6b and 7b illustrate the locking assembly 100 adapted to be installed in a smaller thickness door D.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. In general, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

It should also be understood that in this document, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including,

"including"), "containing" ("containing" ), "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to be interpreted in an inclusive (i.e., non-exclusive) sense such that a process, method, apparatus, device, or system described herein is not limited to those features or components or steps recited, but may include other elements, features, components, or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or device. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an," as used herein, are intended to be construed to mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or establish a particular ordering of the importance of their objects.

List of reference numerals

100 locking assembly 40 force providing member

10 casing 41 ring hub

11 plate member 42 gear teeth

12 plate member 43 portion

13 screw 44 elongated channel, slot or keyway

14 projecting rim 50 locks the body unit

15-hole 51 shell

16 opening 52 sleeve or tube

17 open 53 end plate

18 short shaft 54 key cylinder

20 handle mechanism 55 bolt

21 inner handle 56 retractor mechanism

22 external handle 57 drive shaft

23 handle axis 58 force receiving member

24 stub shaft 59 retractor member

25 torsion spring 60 privacy subassembly

26 hub member 61 button

27 drive gear 62 latch plate

28 protruding nose of washer 63

29 collar 64 spring element

30 tongue element D door

31 slot C cavity

32 side projection Si inner side

33 outside shoulder So

34 groove P guard board

35 hub component S screw

36 bar X drive shaft axis

37 board

38 recess.

Claims

1. A locking assembly for operative connection or engagement with a handle mechanism having a handle manually movable about a handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle, the locking assembly comprising:

a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess; and

a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess;

wherein the retractor mechanism comprises: a retractor member that pivots about the retractor axis to move the bolt to the retracted position, and a force receiving component for receiving a force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis; and

wherein the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism is configured to engage with the force providing component of the handle mechanism in a single or unique pose.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the bolt and at least a portion of the bolt retractor mechanism are provided in a locking body unit that is configured as a stand-alone or separate unit of the assembly.

3. The locking assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retractor axis is arranged substantially parallel to the handle axis, and wherein the force-receiving feature of the retractor mechanism is configured to operably engage with the force-providing feature of handle mechanism between the handle axis and the retractor axis.

4. The locking assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking assembly comprises a handle mechanism having: a handle manually movable about the handle axis; and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle.

5. A locking assembly, comprising:

a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a corresponding recess;

a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess, wherein the bolt retractor mechanism comprises a retractor member arranged to pivot about the retractor axis for moving the bolt to the retracted position and a force receiving means for receiving an input force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis; and

a handle mechanism having: a handle manually movable about a handle axis, and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle, the force providing member of the handle mechanism being configured to operatively engage with the force receiving member of the retractor mechanism in a single or unique pose.

6. The locking assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force providing component of the handle mechanism has a first mating member and the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism has a second mating member, wherein the first and second mating members are configured to matingly engage with one another in a single or unique posture.

7. The locking assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second cooperating members, and preferably both, are elongate in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis, and the mating engagement occurs in the axial direction.

8. The locking assembly of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the relative positions of the first and second cooperating members in the single or unique pose are adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis.

9. The locking assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second cooperating members, and preferably both, have a range substantially equal to a width dimension of a locking body unit comprising the bolt and the bolt retractor mechanism in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis.

10. The locking assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein one of the first and second mating members can comprise a keyway or slot and the other of the first and second mating members can comprise a complementary key, peg, or protrusion configured to be received within the keyway or slot.

11. The locking assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle mechanism comprises a drive gear rigidly or fixedly connected with the handle for driving movement of the force providing member in response to movement of the handle; wherein the force providing member of the handle mechanism is arranged to pivot about the retractor axis in response to movement of the handle about the handle axis, and wherein the force providing member comprises gear teeth which mesh with the drive gear.

12. The locking assembly of claim 11, wherein the force providing component is formed as a unitary or integral component, wherein the mating member of the force providing component is integrally formed or integrally formed with the gear teeth of the force providing component that mesh with the drive gear of the handle mechanism.

13. The locking assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism is integrally or monolithically formed with the retractor member, and wherein the force transmitted from the force providing part of the handle mechanism is transmitted directly to the retractor member via the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism.

14. A method of installing a locking assembly providing operative connection with a handle mechanism having: a handle manually movable about the handle axis and a force providing member operatively associated with the handle for movement in response to movement of the handle; the locking assembly includes: a bolt configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess; and a bolt retractor mechanism for moving the bolt from an extended position for engagement in the recess to a retracted position for disengagement from the recess, wherein the retractor mechanism comprises a retractor member pivotable about the retractor axis to move the bolt to the retracted position and a force receiving means for receiving a force to pivot the retractor member about the retractor axis; the method comprises the following steps:

engaging the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism with the force providing component of the handle mechanism in a single available pose.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising matingly engaging the force receiving component of the retractor mechanism with the force providing component of the handle mechanism in a single available pose in a direction substantially parallel to a pivot axis of the retractor member and/or the handle axis.

16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, comprising adjusting the relative positions of the force receiving part of the retractor mechanism and the force providing part of the handle mechanism in the single available attitude in a direction substantially parallel to the retractor axis and/or the handle axis.