GB2250053A

GB2250053A - Locking latches and their operating means

Info

Publication number: GB2250053A
Application number: GB9123317A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Banham
Original assignee: Banham Patent Locks Ltd
Current assignee: Banham Patent Locks Ltd
Priority date: 1990-11-05
Filing date: 1991-11-04
Publication date: 1992-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-04
Also published as: GB9023983D0; GB2250053B; GB9123317D0

Abstract

A manual release mechanism for a locking latch is rendered operable by use of a key-operated mechanism (4) or a solenoid device (8) alternatively. The release mechanism comprises an elongate connecting member (12) having one end permanently engaged with the latch bolt and the other end transversely displaceable into and out of engagement with a rotary handle (6). When engaged with the handle, the connecting member transmits a rotary motion of the handle to the latch bolt. The displacement of the connecting member with respect to the handle can be obtained either by a linking member (20) between the key-operated mechanism and the connecting member or by an operating rod (26) that is axially displaced by the solenoid. <IMAGE>

Description

LOCKING LATCHES AND THEIR OPERATING MECHANISMS This invention relates to operating mechanisms for locking latches.

It is sometimes required, as in conjunction with entry phone systems such as are employed in blocks of flats and in offices, to be able to open an external door by releasing a locking latch on that door either manually, with a key, or remotely with electrical assistance. The present invention is concerned that mechanisms that can be used in this manner as well as locking latches having such mechanisms.

According to the invention, there is provided an operating mechanism for a locking latch having a connecting member for transmitting an opening movement from the manual operating member to a bolt of the latch to release the latch, said connecting member having an inoperative rest position from which it is displaceable through a key-operated mechanism or through an electrically-operated device alternatively or jointly to connect said manual member and bolt for operation of the bolt by the member.

A mechanism according to the invention can be constructed to operate the existing locking bolt of a door. The electrical energy required to make the connection between the operating member and the bolt can be kept small, which allows the mechanism to be made more compact and so more easily fitted to a door, as well as being cheaper to produce and use.

By way of example, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows one form of operating mechanism according to the invention in a partly exploded view.

In the drawing can be seen a mounting cover 2 which is secured to the outer face of a door (not shown) the cover being seen from its inner side. The cover carries a cylinder lock 4 and a pivoting handle 6 both of which can be mainly conventional and do not require to be described in detail. Also secured to the inner face of the mounting cover is a solenoid 8 and a support bracket 10 for a connecting member 12 of the mechanism. A slot 14 in the bracket receives one end of the connecting member 12 which is an oblong section bar, the lower region of the slot in which the member is shown providing a free sliding fit for minor cross-sectional dimension of the bar. The member 12 is thus able to move up and down in the slot 14 but it is prevented from rotating and from leaving the slot by transverse pins 16 which project from both sides of the bar beyond the width of the slot.

A lifting plate 20, attached to the rotary cylinder 4a of the lock 4 by a screw 22 received in the cylinder eccentrically to its rotary axis, has an elongate aperture 24 through which the connecting member 12 extends. In the inoperative state shown, the eccentric screw 22 lies vertically below the cylinder rotary axis.

The connecting member 12 is shown in its inoperative position in which it rests on the bottom of the slot 14, slightly spaced from a retracted operating rod 26 projecting upwards from the non-energized solenoid 8, and also close to the bottom of the lifting plate aperture 24.

At its end remote from the mounting cover 2 the connecting member 12 is twisted so that its major crosssectional dimension is horizontal when the mechanism is in the inoperative state shown. That horizontally directed end portion is a free sliding fit in a similarly directed diametrical slot of a rotary operating member (not shown) of a locking bolt for the door.

If the cylinder lock 4 is operated by its key, as the cylinder rotates the screw 22 rises and carries with it the plate 20 which in turn entrains the connecting member 12. The member is lifted to the upper, wider portion 14a of the slot 14 and as this happens the adjacent end of the member slides into a vertical diametrical slot 30 in the boss of the door handle 6. The bolt end of the member 12 is meanwhile held against lifting because of the horizontally directed slot in which it is permanently engaged. The bolt can now be released by simply turning the door handle 6. The wider portion of the slot 14 allows the member 12 to turn as its wider side face is tilted from the vertical, and thereby to rotate the bolt operating member.

Alternatively, the handle 6 can be used to release the bolt if the solenoid 8 is energized from a remote position to lift its operating rod 26 against the connecting member 12 and raise the member to engagement with the boss slot 30. The handle and bolt are then connected in exactly the same way as if the lock cylinder 4a had been turned. The elongated form of the aperture 24 in the lifting plate ensures that it does not impede this solenoid-controlled displacement.

Claims

1. An operating mechanism for a locking latch having a connecting member for transmitting an opening movement from the manual operating member to a bolt of the latch to release the latch, said connecting member having an inoperative rest position from which it is displaceable through a key-operated mechanism or through an electrically-operated device alternatively or jointly to connect said manual member and bolt for operation of the bolt by the member.

2. An operating mechanism according to claim 1 wherein when in its inoperative position the connecting member is restrained from movement in the same sense as a sense of movement it performs in the operative position when releasing the latch.

3. An operating mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connecting member is arranged to perform a rotary motion in its operative position to release the latch.

4. An operating mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connecting member is displaced against gravity to bring it to an operative position.

5. An operating mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connecting member is an elongate member displaceable transversely to its longitudinal direction to and from said rest position.

6. An operating mechanism according to a claim 5 wherein said connecting member has one end portion displaceable from an operative position to bring the member to its rest position.

7. An operating mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrically operated device comprises a solenoid.

8. An operating mechanism for a locking latch constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A locking latch provided with an operating mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.