GB2227787A

GB2227787A - Fastening device for a door

Info

Publication number: GB2227787A
Application number: GB9002338A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Henry Thomas Williams
Original assignee: WEST ALLOY DIECASTINGS
Current assignee: WEST ALLOY DIECASTINGS
Priority date: 1989-02-03
Filing date: 1990-02-02
Publication date: 1990-08-08
Also published as: GB9002338D0; GB8902367D0

Abstract

A door fastening device comprises a first component such as a barrel lock (3) and a blade (3a), a second component such as a latch arm (6) movable towards the first component for assembly of the device, and a spring (4), at least one of the components having an abutment face (6c) and the components being adapted such that at least upon assembly the spring is deformed and thereafter acts to cause the abutment face (6c) to restrain separation of the two components. <IMAGE>

Description

FASTENING DEVICE FOR A DOOR This invention relates to a method of assembly of two or more components of a fastening device for a door and in particular, although not exclusively, to a method of forming an assembly of a support structure such as a door or frame and two or more fastening device components of a kind which are supported by the support structure and operatively interconnected with one another. The invention relates also to a fastening device of a kind comprising two or more components for fitting to a door or frame and an assembly of a support structure such as a door or frame and two or more fastening device components arranged to be supported by the support structure and operatively interconnected with one another.

In the case, for example, of a multi-component type of door lock such as a barrel type lock assembly, a barrel lock requires to be positioned at one face of a door and to be aligned for operative interconnection with a latch arm positioned at the other face of the door. In constructing the lock assembly difficulty often is experienced in temporarily supporting and maintaining the barrel lock and lever arm in alignment for subsequent permanent operative interconnection whilst the two components of the lock assembly are permanently secured to the door with the aid of screws or like securing means. This need to maintain temporary support and alignment contributes undesirably to the total time needed to screw or likewise permanently secure the lock components to the door.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved method of assembly of two or more components of a fastening device or of assembly of two or more components of a fastening device for fitting to a door or frame and a door or frame support structure in which the aforedescribed difficulty is mitigated or overcome. The invention seeks also to provide a fastening device of a kind comprising two or more components for fitting to a door or frame and of a kind adapted to facilitate their assembly one with another into an operatively interconnected relationship.

In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides, for forming a multi-component fastening device for a door, a first component, a second component movable towards the first component for assembly of the fastening device and spring means, at least one of said components having an abutment face and the components being adapted such that upon assembly the spring means is deformed and therefore acts to cause said abutment face to restrain separation of the two components.

The spring means may be arranged to be in a relaxed condition in an assembled condition of the two components. Preferably it is in the form of a leaf spring having a limb portion which is deformed upon assembly of the components and then adopts an at least partly relaxed condition in which it bears against the abutment face to restrain separation of the two components.

In the fastening device comprising a first component in the form of a barrel lock from which a barrel lock blade extends to engage a latch arm of a second component for rotation of the latter, a leaf spring may be carried by the blade and after assembly adopt a relatively relaxed condition which prevents separation of the components. Alternatively the leaf spring may be carried by the latch arm for retentive engagement with an abutment face provided by the barrel lock blade. In either case the leaf spring serves to provide a snap-fit type of assembly.

The spring means alternatively may be arranged to act continually as a spring between the two components both during and subsequent to assembly.

In this case each component is provided with an abutment face and a spring means is arranged to ensure that the abutment faces are retained in co-operation with one another in the final assembly.

In accordance with another of its aspects the present invention provides a method of assembly of two components for a fastening device for a door comprising providing a first component and a second component at least one of which has an abutment face, providing one of the components with spring means and assembling the two components to cause deformation of the spring means at least until the abutment face is able to restrain relative separation of the components.

The method of assembly of two components of fastening device for a door may comprise: - providing a first component with spring means, - providing a second component with an abutment face and with a restriction over which the spring means of the first component may be moved in a resiliently deformed condition, and - assembling said first and second components to cause the spring means of the first component to pass over said restriction to a locked position in which the spring means tends to relax into a position in which it lies in retentive engagement with said abutment face whereby said components are restrained from relative separation.

The method of assembly of two components in accordance with the present invention may be adapted to facilitate securing the components relative to a support structure such as a door or door frame by assembling the two components relative to one another with the support structure disposed therebetween to provide support and location for the components.

The interengaging arrangement may provide a permanent location of the components relative to the support structure and in operative alignment or it may provide a temporary location whilst other securing means is provided permanently to secure the components relative to the support structure and in operative alignment with one another.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a barrel type lock assembly and part of a door in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the plane II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to that of figure 2 but showing the components of the lock assembly and door in an assembled condition.

Figure 4 is a view of latch arm component in the direction of arrow X of Figure 2; Figures 5 to 8 show views which correspond with those of Figures 1 to 4 respectively but which illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 9 to 12 show views which correspond with those of Figures 1 to 4 respectively but which illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13 is an end view of a component part shown in Figure 10.

A barrel lock assembly 1 of a first embodiment of the invention, see Figures 1 to 4, comprises a flanged barrel lock housing 2 which contains a barrel lock 3. One end of the barrel lock 3 is apertured to receive a key 7 arid the other end supports an axially extending barrel lock blade 3a.

The barrel lock blade 3a in turn supports a double limb type leaf spring 4 which is of a substantially v shape in elevation as viewed in Figure 2. The apex region of the spring 4 is secured proximate the free end of the lock blade 3a and the two limbs 4a of the spring each extend from that apex region in a direction towards the barrel lock 3, and away from a respective face of the blade 3a. In an unstressed condition the spring limbs 4a each extend in a direction towards the barrel lock and at an angle of 150 relative to a respective face of the blade 3a.

The barrel lock assembly 1 additionally comprises an attachment plate 5 for securing relative to a door 8 at a side opposite that at which the flange of housing 2 is to be secured to the door. Furthermore, the barrel lock assembly 1 comprises a latch arm 6 which in the assembled lock is angularly movable by operation of the key 7 to move a retention arm portion 6d to or from a condition in which that portion engages a lock plate (not shown) secured to a door frame.

The latch arm 6 is provided with a mating passage 6a for receiving the barrel lock blade 3a and preventing relative rotation of the blade and latch arm (other than a small angular movement arising from a clearance between a blade and passage for ease of assembly). Opposed major faces of that passage are each formed with a slot 6b which extends the length of the passage 6a for allowing a respective limb 4a of the aforedescribed leaf spring 4 to pass through the passage in a deflected condition. The latch arm 6 additionally is provided with an abutment face 6c for a purpose which will be described below. The abutment face 6c lies in a plane which extends perpendicularly to the length of the passage 6a.

To assemble the lock relative to a door 8 the door is formed with a main aperture 8a, to receive the barrel housing 2, and two auxiliary apertures 8b for receiving housing location sleeves 2a. The flanged barrel lock housing 2 and the barrel lock 3 contained therein is then presented to one face of the door and positioned with the barrel lock blade 3a extending substantially centrally through the main door aperture 8a and the housing sleeves 2a extending into respective auxiliary apertures 8b. The flange plate 5 and latch arm 6 are then presented to the other face of the door and arranged such that the barrel lock blade 3a extends through a central opening in the plate 5 and into the passage 6a of the latch arm.Pressure is then applied to move the latch arm 6 towards the barrel lock 3 against the resistance created by the limbs 4a of the leaf spring 4 as they are deformed for passage through the slots 6b. In the assembled condition, in which in this embodiment the latch arm comes into abutment with an end of the barrel lock housing 2, the leaf spring limbs will have passed fully through the slots 6b whereupon they are able to deflect outwards from the blade 3a to adopt a relaxed configuration in which their free ends will abut the aforedescribed abutment face 6c. The leaf spring then serves to prevent the barrel lock blade 3a from being withdrawn from the latch arm 6. That is, the leaf spring then lies in an anchoring condition in the final assembly normally to prevent subsequent separation of the components of the barrel lock assembly 1.

The anchoring effect provided by the leaf spring 4 in the final assembly may be relied upon to provide permanent location and alignment of the lock assembly or to provide temporary location and relative alignment of the lock assembly components whilst conventional fixing means, such as screws extending through plate 5 into the housing sleeves 2a, are put in place. Especially where the leaf spring is to be relied on to provide permanent location and alignment it will be appreciated that the positioning of the leaf spring ends along the length of the barrel lock blade 3a should be arranged such that the spring limbs are able to relax and abut the abutment face 6b only when the components of the lock assembly have been brought to bear firmly against respective faces of the door; free movement of the lock assembly relative to the door is then prevented by the action of the leaf spring.

Although the leaf spring will serve normally to prevent separation of the components of the lock assembly, the assembly may be removed from the door by the use of pliers or other suitable tools to press the limbs of the leaf spring against the blade 3a so that the limbs may pass back through the slots 6b.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, a barrel lock assembly 10 is constructed substantially as described in respect of the first embodiment. In the Figure 5 to 8 like reference numerals are used for parts that correspond with those of Figures 1 to 4.

In the second embodiment the barrel lock blade 13a does not carry a leaf spring but is provided with a retention hole 13b which is spaced slightly from the leading, free end 13c of the blade 13a.

The latch arm 16 is provided with a slot 16a for receiving the barrel lock blade 13a. The arm 16 is provided also with a recess 16b for housing a leaf spring 14. A small slot 16c is provided in a side wall of the recess 16b for receiving a spring location tab 14b by which the spring is secured against displacement from the recess.

The spring 14 has a limb 14a which is arranged to lie in the recess 16b in a position at which it is deflected by movement of the leading edge 13c of the blade 13 into the recess upon assembly of the components. The free end of the limb 14a faces away from the barrel lock 3 in the final assembly and is positioned such that the limb may adopt a relaxed condition in the assembled condition, the spring limb lying within the blade retention hole 13b and the free end of the limb 14a then abutting that edge of the hole 13b nearest to the leading edge 13c.

It will be appreciated that the spring 14 and blade 13a co-operate to secure together and align the components of the lock assembly 10 in substantially the same manner as the blade 3 and spring 4 of the first embodiment co-operate to secure together and align the components of the lock assembly 1.

The lock assembly 10 of the second embodiment may be dismantled by inserting a small tool through the hole 16d of the latch arm temporarily to deflect the spring 14a and allow the blade " to be withdrawn.

In a third embodiment of the present invent )n, illustrated in Figures 9 to 13, a barrel lock assembly 20 is con;tructed substantially as described in respect of the first embodiment. In Figures 9 to 13 the parts 7 and 8 correspond with those of Figures 1 to 4 and the parts 22, 23, 25 and 26 have similarities with the parts 2, 3, 5 and 6 respectively of Figures 1 to 4.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in that the leaf spring 4 is replaced by an annular wavy spring washer 21 (described in more detail below), the barrel lock blade 23a and latch arm 26 differ significantly in detail from the respective parts 3a, 6 of Figures 1 to 4, and there is additional provision of a locking bush 24.

The barrel lock blade 23a of the third embodiment does not support a leaf spring but instead is of a cruciform shape at its end furthest from the barrel lock 23. This cruciform shape comprises a pair of cruciform arms 23b that extend outwards in a direction perpendicular to the length of the arm and for a purpose that is described in detail below.

The blade 23a and including the cruciform arms 23b are able to lie within a slot-like passage 26c which extends axially through the latch arm 26. The passage 26c is of a reduced cross-section at a central portion, that portion being dimensioned to prevent rotation of the latch arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the barrel lock blade 23. A lefthand end portion of the passage, as viewed in Figure 10, and lying within an annular washer locating rib 26a is of an enlarged cross-section for accommodating an end portion of the barrel lock 23 and a right-hand end portion 26b is of an enlarged circular cross-sectional shape for accommodating a locking bush 24.

The locking bush 24 is of a substantially tubular form and is partly closed at one end, the left-hand end as viewed in Figure 10. That end is provided with a small slot-like passage 24b dimensioned such that the cruciform arms can be passed therethrough and such that it can rotate about a neck portion of the barrel lock blade lying between the cruciform arms 23b and the main body of the lock blade. The passage 24b leads into an enlarged passage 24c dimensioned such that the cruciform arms can rotate therein. The shoulder lying between the passages 24b and 24c is provided with a pair of recesses 24a disposed on opposite sides of the passage 24b, each recess being arranged to be able to receive at least a portion of a cruciform arm and thereby prevent relative rotation of the bush and barrel lock blade.The extreme right-hand end face of the bush, as viewed in Figure 10, is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite slots 24c whereby the bush 24 may be rotated (for example using a screwdriver) relative to the latch arm 26 for a purpose described below.

To assemble the components of the barrel lock assembly to a door, the components are first arranged as two sub-assemblies. A first of the subassemblies comprises the key 7 located in the lock barrel 23 which in turn is placed in the barrel housing 22. A second of the sub-assemblies comprises the annular wavy spring washer 21 which is mounted on the locating rib 26a of the latch arm, the locating bush 24 then being positioned within the enlarged passage 26b of the latch arm and orientated such that the slot-like passage 24b lies in the same angular plane as the slot-like passage 26c. The second sub-assembly is then completed by fitting the generally cylindrical body 26e of the latch arm in the hole 25a of the flange plate 25 with the wavy washer 21 lying therebetween.

The first sub-assembly is located in a door 8 with the spigots 22a, 22b and 22c being inserted into holes 8a, 8b, and 8c, respectively. The second sub-assembly is then located on to the protruding barrel lock blade 23a. The two sub-assemblies are then squeezed together manually, resulting in axial compression of the wavy spring washer 21. With sufficient axial pressure being applied to fully flatten the washer the cruciform arms 23b are axially displaced from the slot-like passage 24b of the locking bush and lie within the enlarged passage 24e. The locking bush is then rotated through 900 relative to the latch arm 26 with the aid of slots 24c so that the shoulder recesses 24a of the locking bush are aligned in the same angular plane as the cruciform arms 23b. When this condition is achieved the manually applied force urging the two sub-assemblies together can be relaxed to allow the wavy spring washer 21 to urge the sub-assemblies apart until the barrel lock cruciform arms 23b are positively located in the locking bush shoulder recesses 24a.

Completion of assembly is achieved by passing screws through the flange plate holes 25b and screwing into the holes 22d of the barrel lock housing 22.

Claims

1. A multi-component fastening device for a door comprising a first component, a second component movable towards the first component for assembly of the fastening device and spring means, at least one of said components having an abutment face, and the components being adapted such that upon assembly the spring means is deformed and thereafter acts to cause said abutment face to restrain separation of the two components.

2. A fastening device according to Claim 1 wherein the spring means lies in a substantially relaxed condition in an assembled condition of the two components.

3. A fastening device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the spring means acts as a retention member which bears against said abutment face to restrain relative separation of the first and second components from an assembled condition.

4. A fastening device according to Claim 3 wherein said spring means is a leaf spring.

5. A fastening device according to Claim 4 wherein the spring means is a double limb type leaf spring of a substantially V-shaped form when in a relaxed condition.

6. A fastening device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the first component comprises a barrel lock from which a barrel lock blade extends and the second component comprises a latch arm formed with said abutment face and a passage for receiving the barrel lock blade, the leaf spring being supported by the barrel lock blade and arranged to be deformed during insertion through said passage and then in the assembled condition to adopt an at least partly relaxed condition in which a free end of the leaf spring bears against said abutment face to restrain separation of the two components.

7. A fastening device according to Claim 6 when dependant on Claim 5 wherein an apex region of the leaf spring is supported by the barrel lock blade and the two limbs extend from that apex region in a direction towards the barrel lock and away from a respective face of the blade.

8. A fastening device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the passage is adapted for mating with the blade and has at least one major face formed with a slot which extends along the length of the passage for a limb of the leaf spring to pass through the passage in a deformed condition.

9. A fastening device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the first component comprises a barrel lock from which there extends a barrel lock blade formed with said abutment face, and the second component comprises a latch arm formed with a passage for receiving the barrel lock blade, the leaf spring being supported by the second component and arranged to be deformed by the barrel lock blade during insertion through said passage and then in the assembled condition to adopt an at least partly relaxed condition in which a free end of the leaf spring bears against said abutment face to restrain separation of the two components.

10. A fastening device according to Claim 9 when dependent upon claim 5 wherein an apex region of the leaf spring bears against an auxiliary abutment surface of the latch arm, the free end of one limb of the spring locates in a location recess of the latch arm and the free end of the other limb lies in a position from which it is deflected during insertion of the barrel lock blade through the passage.

11. A fastening device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the barrel lock blade is provided with a retention hole one edge portion of which defines said abutment face.

12. A fastening device according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second components each have an abutment face, the two abutment faces being arranged to engage one with the other to restrain relative rotation of the two components when in an assembled condition, and the spring means serving to tend to urge the components away from one another and to maintain engagement of the abutment faces.

13. A fastening device according to Claim 12 wherein the first component comprises a barrel lock from which there extends a barrel lock blade formed with a first abutment face and the second component comprises at least one recess which defines a second abutment face for engagement by the first abutment face of the barrel lock blade.

14. A fastening device according to Claim 13 wherein the latch arm comprises a recess which houses a locking bush rotatable therein said locking bush having a passage through which the barrel lock blade is inserted upon assembly and at least one recess for engagement by the abutment face of the barrel lock blade.

15. A fastening device according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the barrel lock blade has an end portion of a cruciform shape, the arms of said cruciform providing said abutment face of the first component.

16. A fastening device according to any one of Claims 12 to 15 wherein the spring means comprises an annular wavy spring washer.

17. A fastening device according to Claim 16 wherein the spring means is in an at least partly deformed condition in the assembled condition.

18. A fastening device constructed and arranged substantially ass hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A fastening device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of assembly of two components of a fastening device for a door comprising providing a first component and a second component at least one of 3which has an abutment face, providing one of the components with spring means and assembling the two components to cause deformation of the spring means at least until the abutment face is able to restrain relative separation of the components.

21. A method according to Claim 20 wherein the first component is provided with said spring means and the second component is provided with said abutment face and a restriction over which the spring means of the first component may be moved in a resiliently deformed condition, and assembling the components to cause the spring means of the first component to pass over said restriction to a locked position in -which the spring means tends to relax to a position in which it lies in retentive engagement with said abutment face whereby said components are restrained from relative separation.

22. A method of assembly of two components of a fastening device for a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.