GB2215770A - Improvements in or relating to locks - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock has a primary unit (10, 11) from which top and bottom actuator strips (12, 13) are extended or retracted to lock or release upper and lower secondary locking units, the primary unit including two non-coaxial spindle operable follower assemblies (19, 20), each of which is operable to slide a bottom actuator plate (27) and thereby retract or extend the strips (12, 13), a latch bolt (22), movable between respective extended and retracted positions by one of said follower assemblies (19) and also by an actuating mechanism (47, 50), a deadbolt (18), movable between respective extended and retracted positions by a further, key operated actuating mechanism, and the bottom actuator plate (27) preventing retraction of the latch bolt (22) unless the secondary locking units are in their respective retracted positions. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO LOCKS This invention relates to a lock for a closure, such as a door or window. It is particularly, though not exclusively, intended for a hinged, angularly movable door, and has as its object the provision of such a lock in a convenient and effective form.

According to the present invention there is provided a lock comprising a primary unit and at least one secondary unit, the primary unit including two non-coaxial spindle operable follower assemblies, each of which is operable to move an actuator plate for extending or retracting locking means of the or each secondary unit, a latch bolt, movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by one of said follower assemblies and also by an actuating mechanism, a deadbolt movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by a further actuating mechanism, said actuator plate preventing retraction of said latch bolt if said locking means are extended.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal side view of the interior of a lock of the invention; Figure 2 is an underneath view of a dead bolt assembly of the lock; Figure 3 is a side view of the dead bolt assembly; Figure 4 is an end view of a top follower assembly of the lock; Figure 5 is a side view of the top follower assembly; Figure 6 is a side view of a bottom follower assembly of the lock; Figure 7 is an end view of the bottom follower assembly, and Figures 8 and 9 schematically show alternative arrangements of door handles and spindles with the lock.

The lock shown in the drawings is intended for use with a hinged, angularly movable door, particularly a PVC section door. As will be described the design of the lock is such that although the same lock can be fitted to both front and back doors respectively, the operating handle functions can be arranged to be different.

As shown in Figure 1 the lock has a facia plate 10 in the form of an elongated rectangular metal strip.

Attached to one side of the facia plate is. a rectangular lock case 11 which has openings at its respective upper and lower ends adjacent the facia plate to allow the sliding of respective top and bottom actuator strips 12, 13 (or alternatively rods) for operating locking members in the form of bolts or rollers at top and bottom regions of the door, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The case has a keyhole slot 14, as shown in Figure 1, it being intended that a conventional key operated barrel or cylinder lock is fitted in the case for operation from either side of the door in which the lock of the invention is fitted. Retaining means for the lock cylinder are indicated at 15.

Above the slot 14, the case is provided with a slot 16 extending laterally of the length of the case. At each end, the slot 16 has a lower recess 17 for a purpose to be described in relation to the movement of a dead bolt 18 which, by means of the cylinder lock is extendable out of or retractable into the lock case, this dead bolt 18 being shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3.

Above the slot 16 the case sides are provided with two pairs of aligned circular holes rotatably to mount respective top and bottom follower assemblies 19, 20, shown in Figures 4-7 in greater detail. Each follower assembly has a generally cylindrical centre part through which extends a square section bore 21 for engagement with a conventional matching section operating spindle.

The bottom follower assembly 20 is solely for extending or retracting the top and bottom actuator strips 12, 13, whilst the top follower assembly can also operate said strips as well as retracting a spring bolt assembly 22 into the lock, as will be described, the spring bolt being outwardly biased by a torsion spring 23 coiled on a projection 24 of the case.

The lowermost end of the top actuator strip 12 is connected to a top actuator plate 25 which slides within the case 11. At its side away from the facia plate 10, the plate 25 has an open ended slot 26 therein. Adjacent the facia plate 10, the lower part of the plate 25 is cut away.

The uppermost end of the bottom actuator strip 13 is connected to a bottom actuator plate 27 which, like the plate 25, is slidable within the case 11. The plate 27 is positioned at one side of the dead bolt assembly and has one edge extending upwardly in the case 11 at the front of the case adjacent the facia plate 10. However this front edge has a generally rectangular slot or cut-out in the region of the spring bolt assembly 22.

The upper region of the slot or cut-out is however formed as a nose part 28 for engagement with the spring bolt assembly as will be described.

At its opposite edge the plate 27 is formed with a pair of longitudinally spaced arcuate cut-outs 29, 30 respectively for engagement with a part of the dead bolt assembly as will be described. Above these cut-outs, this rear edge of the plate 27 is provided with two longitudinally spaced larger, generally rectangular cut-outs 31, 32 respectively, having respective upper straight surfaces 33, 34 and respective lower straight surfaces 35, 36, these surfaces lying normal to the length of the plate 27.

As will be described the surfaces are engaged by parts of the top and bottom follower assemblies in order to effect sliding movement of the bottom actuator plate.

At its upper end, the bottom actuator plate 27 has an elongated closed-ended slot 37. The case 11 has a pivot peg 38 carrying an actuator lever or link 39 which at its opposite ends has cylindrical pegs 40 which engage in the slots 26 and 37 respectively, thereby linking together the top and bottom actuator plates. Accordingly, in operation, actuation of one of the follower assemblies to slide the bottom actuator plate 27 will result in sliding movement of the top actuator plate by virtue of the link 39. As the plates move, the pegs 40 slide in the slots in the actuator plates respectively.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dead bolt assembly 18 comprises a generally rectangular bolt part 41 from one side of which extends a projection 42, the projection being disposed at the rear of the bolt part. This projection 42 can engage in either of the arcuate cut-outs 29, 30 in the plate 27 so as to prevent sliding movement of said plate when the dead bolt 18 is in its extended state. At the rear edge of the bolt part 41 there is also provided a housing part 43 in which is received a tumbler 44 biased by a compression spring 45. As shown in Figure 1, when the bolt part 41 is in its extended position, the projection 42 engages in an appropriate one of the cut-outs 29, 30, depending on the position of the plate 27, and thus on whether the top and bottom actuator strips are extended or retracted.In this position of the dead bolt assembly, the housing part 43 is disposed adjacent the cylinder lock and in this position a lobe of the lock (not shown} can, in one example, be arranged to lie just below this housing part. Additionally part of this dead bolt assembly is engaged in the right-hand one of the lower recesses 17 of the slot 16, so that the dead bolt cannot be forced to its retracted position merely by applying pressure in the direction of bolt movement.

The lock forms an actuating mechanism for the dead bolt.

In use operation of the cylinder lock will cause the lobe to rotate anti-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, and, due to lead-in surfaces of the housing part 43, the lobe will enter this part 43 so as to raise the tumbler 44 against the spring 45, thereby lifting the part of the dead bolt assembly in the slot 16 and moving the dead bolt assembly rearwardly in the lock case so as to retract the bolt part 41 to a position where it is disposed within the case 11. Continued rotation of the lobe causes it eventually to move out of the housing part 43 once the part 43 has moved to the left-hand recess 17 of the slot 16 whereupon said part of the dead bolt assembly moves into said lower recess 17 once again to prevent movement of the dead bolt.As will be apparent from Figure 1, this retraction of the dead bolt causes the projection 42 to move out of the cut-out 29 or 30 thereby allowing movement of the plate 27 by either of the follower assemblies 19, 20.

For a purpose to be described, the opposite face of the bolt part 41 to that which carries the projection 42, has a central cylindrical peg 46.

At one side of the dead bolt assembly is a link arm 47 which has a cut-out 48 for engagement by the peg 46 as the bolt part 41 is retracted. A free end of the arm 47 lies adjacent the bottom of the bolt part 41 and, in operation, as the peg 46 engages in the cut-out 48 this free end, which is formed with a nose part 49 is brought into the region of rotation of the lobe of the cylinder lock.

The opposite end of the arm 47 is pivotally connected to a latch cam 50 which is angularly movable on the same centre as the top follower assembly 19. The arm 47 and cam 50 form an actuating mechanism for the bolt 22.

The latch cam has an arcuate, open ended slot therein extending inwards from below a nose part 55 of the cam.

The spring bolt assembly 22 comprises a generally rectangular bolt part 51 which can extend out of or retract into the case 11, being shown in its extended position in Figure 1. The bolt has a lath extending rearwardly from the part 51 and containing a closed-ended slot 52 which receives a peg 53 of the case 11 so as to guide the sliding movement of the spring bolt. At its rearward end, the lath has an upstanding flange 54.

In operation it is intended that for the cylinder lock, a complete turn of the key to operate the cylinder lock will retract the dead bolt, whereupon a further approximately half turn of the key will cause the lobe of the cylinder lock to engage against the nose part 49 of the link arm 47 so as to push the link arm upwardly in the case 11 so as to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction, the latch cam 50. The nose part 55 of the latch cam 50 is in contact with the upstanding flange 54 of the spring bolt assembly so as to retract the bolt part 51 into the case 11 against the force of the torsion spring 23.As will be described however, this retraction of the spring bolt by key operation is only possible if the actuator strips 12, 13 are in their retracted positions, since otherwise the nose part 28 of the plate 27 prevents such retraction by engaging the bolt part 51 of the spring bolt assembly.

Figures 4 and 5 show the top follower assembly 19. As described, the follower 19 has a central, generally cylindrical part from which extends a radial arm. At one side of the arm there is an upstanding peg 56 which is arranged to engage in the cut-out 32 so as to move the plate 27 by engaging either the upper surface 34 or the lower surface 36 of said cut-out 32. The opposite side of the arm of the follower assembly 19 has a further upstanding peg 57 which engages in a slot 58 in a follower cam 59 which, like the cam 50, is rotatably mounted on the same centre as the follower assembly 19, the cam 50 being disposed between the follower assembly 19 and the follower cam 59. Like the cam 50, the cam 59 has a nose part 60 for engaging the flange 54 of the spring bolt assembly so as to retract the bolt part 51.In its normal position, the follower assembly 19 is arranged with the.peg 57 midway between the ends of the slot 58. Accordingly there is lost motion between the follower assembly 19 and the follower cam 59 such that there will be some angular movement of the follower assembly 19 until the peg 57 reaches the upper end of the slot and moves the cam 59 to retract the bolt part 51. The peg 57 extends through the slot in the latch cam 50 into the slot 58 of follower cam 59, the slot in the latch cam being of sufficient length for rotational movement of the two cams to be completely independent of each other.

The bottom follower assembly 20 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is similar to the follower assembly 19 but has a smaller radial arm which carries a single upstanding peg 61. Like the peg 56, this is arranged to engage either the upper surface 33 or the lower surface 35 of the cut-out 31 in the plate 27, thereby to move the plate 27 to extend or retract the actuator strips.

In one embodiment each actuator strip has at its end a pivoting link assembly so that sliding movement. of the actuator strip pivots the link either to retract or extend a bolt into or out of a keeper at an adjacent frame part when a door 62 carrying the lock is closed.

However in an alternative arrangement the end of each actuator strip can be provided with a roller projecting normal to the facia plate,-with its associated keeper in the frame being formed with a longitudinally extending slot which is open at one end so that when an actuator strip is extended its bolt moves either upwardly or downwardly into the slot so as to effect a locking operation. In each case, however, the secondary units each form locking means for securing the door in its frame.

Finally at the top of the case 11 is disposed a spring-loaded anti-slam bolt 63 arranged to interact with the top actuator strip 12 to prevent damage to the frame by the bolts during an attempt to close the door with the bolts already extended. Accordingly when extended, the bolt 63 engages the strip 12 and prevents it being extended whilst the door is open. On closing the door, the bolt is retracted against its spring and releases its engagement with the strip, which can then be extended.

The design of the lock of the invention is such that by providing two non-coaxially arranged follower assemblies, identical locks can be fitted in both a front door and a back door, with the door handle arrangements at the front door being different from those at the back door.

For example Figure 8 shows a door 62 to which a lock of the invention is fitted, the left-hand side representing the outside of the door and the right-hand side representing the inside thereof. The top follower assembly 19 receives a spindle 64 and associated door handle 65, the handle 65 being at the inside of the door with no handle being provided on the spindle 64 at the outside of the door. A spindle 66 is engaged in the bottom follower assembly 20, but here an associated handle 67 is provided at the outside of the door only.

Thus in use if the door is closed with all of the bolts extended, an authorised key holder wishing to obtain entry from outside needs first to insert the key in the cylinder lock and turn it by one turn. This will retract the dead bolt and will release the bottom actuator plate 27 from the dead bolt. The person wishing to gain entry can then move the handle 67 angularly downwardly so as to rotate the bottom follower assembly 20. This causes the peg 61 to slide the plate 27 upwardly by virtue of its engagement against the surface 33, and this upward sliding movement of the plate 27 is transmitted via the link 39 to the top actuator plate 25 which is thus moved downwardly. Thus the actuator strips 12 and 13 are retracted together with their associated upper and lower locking bolts (or rollers).Once the strips 12, 13 have been retracted, a further half turn of the key will, via the link arm 47, angularly move the latch cam 50 to retract the spring bolt, thereby allowing the door to be opened and entry to be gained therethrough.

Slamming the door upon gaining entry will cause engagement of the spring bolt in its keeper in the frame thereby securing the door, the spring bolt 22 being biased to its extended position by the spring 23. In this state entry from the outside can only be accomplished by way of the key being turned approximately one and a half turns to retract the spring bolt.

To gain exit from the inside, it is merely necessary to turn the handle 65 downwardly, since this will result in the follower cam 59 retracting the spring bolt.

Turning either handle upwardly will of course extend the strips 12, 13 and associated bolts, provided that the dead bolt is in its retracted state. Also as previously mentioned retraction of the spring bolt is not possible via the cylinder lock if the actuator strips are extended, since the nose part 28 of plate 27 engages against the bolt part 51 of the spring bolt.

Accordingly at night it is possible for the handle 65 to be turned upwardly to extend the strips 12 and 13 and to extend the corresponding bolts associated therewith. With the deadbolt also extended, there are four deadlocked bolts in the lock, providing extra security.

Instead of the arrangement shown in Figure 8 where the door 62 is a front door, Figure 9 shows an arrangement where the door 62 is a back door, i.e. where a handle, such as the handle 67, which merely extends or retracts the upper and lower door bolts is not required.

Accordingly as shown in Figure 9 there is no spindle engaged with the bottom follower assembly 20, which is externally blanked off, and the spindle 64 engaged with the top follower assembly 19 now has a handle 68 on one end and a handle 65 on its opposite end. Obviously with this arrangement it is of no consequence as to which handle is inside or outside.

Thus with this arrangement the lock can be key operated to extend and retract the dead bolt, whilst the extra half turn facility can be employed to retract the spring bolt. Operation of the top and bottom strips 12, 13 can only be effected by upwards or downwards rotation of the handle 65 or the handle 68. However instead of the spring bolt being operated by the cylinder lock, either handle can of course be rotated downwardly to cause retraction of the spring bolt 22.

As described, retraction of the spring bolt 22 is prevented by the extra half turn of the key if the actuator strips are extended. However downwards movement of either of the two handles will cause retraction of the spring bolt 22 provided the dead bolt is retracted, since initial movement of the top follower assembly 19 by way of either handle will cause retraction of the strips by means of the peg 56 engaging on surface 34 of plate 27. As the rotation of top follower assembly 19 continues, the peg 57 will eventually reach the end of the slot 58 and cause the follower cam 59 to retract the spring bolt.

Claims (11)

1. A lock comprising a primary unit and at least one secondary unit, the primary unit including two non-coaxial spindle operable follower assemblies, each of which is operable to move an actuator plate for extending or retracting locking means of the or each secondary unit, a latch bolt, movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by one of said follower assemblies and also by an actuating mechanism, a deadbolt movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by a further actuating mechanism, said actuator plate preventing retraction of said latch bolt if said locking means are extended.

2. A lock comprising a primary unit and at least one secondary unit, the primary unit including two non-coaxial sprindle operable follower assemblies, each of which is operable to move an actuator plate for extending or retracting locking means of the or each secondary unit, a latch bolt, movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by one of said follower assemblies and also by an actuating mechanism, and a deadbolt movable between extended and retracted positions respectively by a further actuating mechanism, extension of the deadbolt preventing movement of said actuator plate, and deadlocking the follower assemblies against respective angular movement in one direction by operation of external operating members connected thereto, in use.

3. A lock as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said actuator plate has a location into which part of said deadbolt is received when said actuator plate is in its position extending said locking means and said deadbolt is extended, thereby preventing retraction of said locking means by either of said follower assemblies.

4. A lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein said further actuating mechanism is key operated, a first arc of rotation of the key extending or retracting the deadbolt, so that said part of the deadbolt is moved into or out of said location if said locking means are extended and into or out of a further location of the actuator plate if said locking means are retracted, and a second arc of rotation of the key, when the deadbolt is retracted, causing, via said actuating mechanism, retraction of the latch bolt, only when said locking means are retracted.

5. A lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises an angularly movable cam concentrically mounted on said one of the follower assemblies, part of said cam being engageable with said latch bolt to retract it when said cam is angularly moved, said angular movement being produced, in use, by a link arm which is pivotally connected to said cam, the link arm being moved into the region of said second arc of rotation of the key by said deadbolt as said deadbolt is retracted, so that during said further rotation of the key the link arm is caused to move said cam to retract said latch bolt, provided the locking means are retracted.

6. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said one of the follower assemblies concentrically carries a follower cam for angular movement, there being lost motion therebetween for part of the possible angular movement of said one of the follower assemblies, thereafter the follower cam moving angularly to retract said latch bolt, provided said locking means are retracted.

7. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said actuator plate has a slot therein positioned, when in its position retracting the locking means, to receive part of said latch bolt and allow it to retract, the actuator plate having a protecting portion at one side of said slot which engages said latch bolt when said latch bolt and said locking means are extended, to prevent retraction of the latch bolt.

8. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein two secondary units are provided, one of the secondary units having its locking means operated by a rod or strip connected to said actuator plate and the other having its locking means operated by a rod or strip connected to another actuator plate, the two plates being pivotally connected to opposite ends of a pivotted link, so that movement of one plate in one direction causes corresponding movement of the other plate in the opposite direction.

9. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, when fitted to a closure, wherein respective spindles are received through said two follower assemblies and an operating handle is engaged on one end of one spindle at one side of the closure, and a further operating handle is engaged on one end. of the other spindle at the opposite side of the closure.

10. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, when fitted to a closure, wherein operating handles are engaged on respective opposite ends of a spindle received through said one of the follower assemblies so as to be disposed at respective opposite sides of the closure, the other one of the follower assemblies being blanked off.

11. A lock substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.