GB2555767A

GB2555767A - Lock actuator assembly with cam

Info

Publication number: GB2555767A
Application number: GB1610638.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Mccarthy Bruce
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-17
Filing date: 2016-06-17
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-17
Also published as: GB2555767B; GB201610638D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock actuator assembly 1 arranged for mounting within a door (11 figure 2). The lock actuator assembly comprises an actuator body 2, a cam 9 rotatably mounted in the actuator body and includes a projecting part 9A for operating a lock member when the cam 9 is rotated. The cam 9 having first and second ranges of angular positions, and a restrictor 8A mounted in the assembly and resiliently biased into engagement with the cam 9. The restrictor 8A opposes rotation of the cam 9 away from the first range of positions, but is able to be moved against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam 9 away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions which are angularly spaced from the first range of positions. The restrictor 8A opposes rotation of the cam 9 away from the second range of positions.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Lock actuator assembly with cam Abstract Title: Lock actuator assembly with cam (57) The invention relates to a lock actuator assembly 1 arranged for mounting within a door (11 figure 2). The lock actuator assembly comprises an actuator body 2, a cam 9 rotatably mounted in the actuator body and includes a projecting part 9Afor operating a lock member when the cam 9 is rotated. The cam 9 having first and second ranges of angular positions, and a restrictor 8A mounted in the assembly and resiliently biased into engagement with the cam 9. The restrictor 8A opposes rotation of the cam 9 away from the first range of positions, but is able to be moved against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam 9 away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions which are angularly spaced from the first range of positions. The restrictor 8A opposes rotation of the cam 9 away from the second range of positions.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Fig. 2

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Fig. 4

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Fig. 5

Fig. 6

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Fig. 8

Lock actuator assembly with cam

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a lock actuator assembly. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a lock actuator assembly that is suitable for use in a multipoint lock.

Background of the Invention

It is known to provide lock actuator assemblies for actuating multipoint locks. Such actuators may comprise a cam rotatably mounted in an actuator body. Rotating the cam causes a projecting part of the cam to engage another part of the lock mechanism to alter the state of the mechanism.

There is a standard cylinder known as a euro-profile cylinder for mounting the cam. A euro-profile cylinder is of a standard cross-sectional shape and it is therefore often desirable for an actuator assembly to have that shape and for the cam to operate in a similar way, for example to facilitate fitting in a door in which a euro-profile cylinder has been fitted or is designed to be fitted.

When fitting the actuator assembly in a door, a difficulty may be caused by the projecting part of the cam. In a standard key-operated euro-profile cylinder, the cam may be freely rotatable through an entire revolution. At one (stowed) angular position it may be contained wholly within the actuator body within which it is mounted, while around the rest of its rotational path the projecting part of the cam may project out beyond the envelope to operate parts of the lock mechanism. In that case the actuator assembly can readily be inserted into the actuator body while the cam is in the stowed position, it having been turned to that position by a key. Once inserted the key can be used to turn the cam to an initial position, defined by a position at which the key can be withdrawn. In that initial position the projecting part of the cam projects out from the envelope of the actuator body and indeed prevents the assembly being withdrawn from the lock.

In some locks, for example electrically powered locks that are controlled remotely, the arrangement just described is not easily replicated. It would be advantageous in some cases to insert the assembly with the cam already in an operative position in which it projects out from the envelope of the actuator body, but it may then not be possible to insert the assembly through the opening in the door.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, a lock actuator assembly arranged for mounting within a door, the lock actuator assembly comprising:

an actuator body, a cam rotatably mounted in the actuator body and including a projecting part for operating a lock member when the cam is rotated, the cam having first and second ranges of angular positions, and a restrictor mounted in the assembly and resiliently biased into engagement with the cam, the restrictor opposing rotation of the cam away from the first range of positions, but being able to be moved against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions which are angularly spaced from the first range of positions, the restrictor opposing rotation of the cam away from the second range of positions.

By providing the restrictor, installation of the lock can be made simpler, especially in a case where the cam is arranged to be driven partly or wholly by an electric prime mover. The assembly can be inserted into the door with the cam in its first range of positions in which it may not obstruct such insertion and may then be moved into its second range of positions in which the projecting part of the cam is effective.

The cam may be a single component or a composite member. In an embodiment of the invention described below with reference to the drawings the cam comprises a plug and a cam part extending around the plug and rotatably coupled thereto.

The first range of positions may extend through an angular range of less than 20 degrees. It is useful if the position of the cam in the first range of positions is closely defined. The first range of positions may be substantially just a single position.

The projecting part of the cam may be contained substantially within the envelope of the actuator body throughout the first range of positions. In that case the cam should not affect the insertion of the actuator assembly into the door when it is in its first range of positions .

The cross-sectional shape of the envelope of the actuator body may be substantially the shape of a europrofile cylinder. Doors are conventionally provided with openings for receiving euro-profile cylinders and fitting of the actuator assembly is facilitated by making the actuator body of that shape. The cross-sectional shape of the envelope of the actuator body may, if desired, be another shape.

The second range of positions may extend through an angular range of more than 90 degrees and may extend through an angular range of more than 180 degrees. Commonly, lock mechanisms are designed to function with a cam rotating through more than 180 degrees. In an embodiment of the invention described below, the second range of positions extends through an angle of about 200 degrees .

The second range of positions may be angularly spaced from the first range of positions by more than 5 degrees. The second range of positions may be diametrically opposite the first range of positions.

The cam may be rotatable away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions by rotation in either direction. That provides a more flexible arrangement which makes the assembly readily adaptable to either handing of the actuator assembly on a door .

The restrictor may be elongate and may comprise a pin. The longitudinal axis of the elongate restrictor may passes through or adjacent to the axis of rotation of the cam. The longitudinal axis may be substantially transverse to the axis of rotation of the cam. It may lie on an axis extending radially from the axis of rotation of the cam.

The elongate restrictor may be slidably mounted in a passageway in the actuator body. A compression spring may be compressed between one end of the restrictor and a stop defined in or at an inner end of the passageway to resiliently bias the restrictor into engagement with the cam.

The restrictor may be able to be moved against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions upon a sufficient rotational force being applied to the cam by a camming action between a portion of the restrictor and a portion of the cam, the camming action moving the restrictor in a direction opposed by the resilient bias. The cam may comprise one or more ramp surfaces for moving the restrictor against its resilient bias.

In the first range of positions the restrictor may engage a first recess in the periphery of the cam. The first recess may be of limited circumferential extent.

The one or more ramp surfaces on the cam may be provided at one end or each end of the first recess.

The restrictor may prevent rotation of the cam away from the second range of positions even when a substantial rotational force is applied to the cam. In the second range of positions the restrictor may engage a second recess in the periphery of the cam. The second recess may be of limited circumferential extent (in the embodiment described below about 200 degrees). The end walls of the second recess may be in substantially radial planes such that they do not move the restrictor against its resilient bias in a camming action.

The assembly may be arranged such that other manual intervention is effective to move the restrictor against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam from the second range of positions into the first range of positions. Said other manual intervention may comprise inserting a tool through an opening in the assembly to move the restrictor against its resilient bias and rotating the cam while the restrictor is moved. The tool may be a pen, screwdriver or other thin-tipped tool.

The lock actuator assembly may further comprise an elongate member rotatably coupled to the cam. The elongate member may comprise a received end and a projecting end, the received end being received within the actuator body and the projecting end projecting out of the actuator body. The elongate member may be movable between a first position in which the projecting end is of a first length, and a second position in which the projecting end is of a second length, the length of the projecting end thereby being adjustable to suit the thickness of the door.

The elongate member may for example be of generally rectangular cross-section. More particularly, it may be of substantially constant rectangular cross-section along its length. The elongate member may be longer than it is wide and wider than it is thick. The elongate member may be moved between the first and second positions in a direction substantially aligned with its longitudinal axis. The elongate member may be moved between the first and second positions in a direction substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the cam. By being able to move the elongate member between a first position and a second position it is possible to ensure that the projecting end projects beyond the face of a door by a desired amount for both a door having a first thickness or a door having a second, different, thickness.

The first and second positions of the elongate member may be predetermined positions. There may be two or more predetermined positions. In an embodiment of the invention described below with reference to the drawings there are three predetermined positions. Whilst it is within the scope of the invention for the connecting member to be continuously adjustable along a path between two extreme positions, it is preferred that the elongate member is adjustable between discrete positions.

In use, a portion of the projecting end may project out from a face of the door when the lock actuator assembly is mounted within the door, and when the door is of a first thickness and the elongate member is in the first position, a first portion of the projecting end may project out from the face of the door; when the door is of a second thickness and the elongate member is in the second position, a second portion of the projecting end may project out of the face of the door and the difference between the length of the first portion and the length of the second portion may be less than the difference in the thickness of the doors. The difference in the lengths may be less than half the difference in the thickness of the doors.

The elongate member may be held in each of the predetermined positions by a resiliently biased member that opposes movement of the elongate member out of the respective predetermined position. The elongate member may be able to be moved manually out of the respective predetermined position against the bias of the resiliently biased member. The resilient bias may be provided by a spring.

Movement of the elongate member away from each of the predetermined positions may exert a force on the

- 8 resilient biased member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the elongate member between the first and second positions.

The resiliently biased member may comprise a pin, the pin being positioned between a compression spring and the elongate member. A first end of the pin may engage the elongate member and a second, oppositely facing portion of the pin may be engaged by the spring. The pin may comprise a hollow section in which the spring may be received.

When the elongate member is located in one of the predetermined positions, the first end of the pin may be received within and engaged with a recess in the elongate member. The engagement of the pin with the recess may be along an inclined face whereby exerting a longitudinal force on the elongate member is able to drive the pin out of the recess against the resilient bias of the spring.

The first end of the pin may be chamfered such that it is arranged to act as a ramp. The first end of the pin may be conical. The first end of the pin may be frustoconical. An alternative arrangement that is less preferred but within the scope of the invention is for the wall of the recess to be a sloping wall that acts as a ramp .

Movement of the elongate member from one of the first or second positions to the other may cause an edge of the first recess to move along the ramp, thereby exerting a force on the pin against the force of the resilient bias and moving the pin out of the first recess .

The elongate member may have a second recess arranged such that when the elongate member is located in the other of the first and second positions, the pin is received within the second recess. More generally, the elongate member may have a plurality of recesses. The recesses may be substantially identical.

The lock actuator assembly may further comprise a plug which is rotatably mounted within the actuator body, the received end of the elongate member being received within the plug and the cam being mounted upon the plug such that rotation of the elongate member results in rotation of the plug and cam. The plug may include a passageway in which the elongate member is received. The passageway may have a substantially rectangular crosssection. The passageway may be disposed along the axis of rotation of the plug.

The plug may comprise a pin chamber and the pin may be located within the pin chamber. The pin chamber may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The pin chamber may be arranged such that the first end of the pin projects out of the pin chamber, towards the elongate member. The pin chamber may be arranged with a shoulder which abuts the pin and limits the projection of the pin towards the elongate member.

The lock actuator assembly may further comprise a clip, the clip being mounted upon the exterior of the plug and positioned over an open end of the pin chamber. An end of the spring may abut the clip, thereby retaining the spring and the pin within the plug, between the shoulder of the pin chamber and the clip.

The assembly may further comprise a handle, which may be a thumb turn, and/or another actuator, for example an electric motor drive, for receiving the projecting end of the elongate member. The handle and/or other actuator may be rotatably coupled to the elongate member.

The actuator body may comprise a first end and a second end and the connecting bar may project from the first end. The second end of the actuator body may be closed for obstructing entry into the second end of the actuator body. The second end of the actuator body may be chamfered to hinder gripping of the second end of the actuator body by a gripping device. An anti-drill pin may be provided in the region of the second end of the actuator body. Closing off of the second end of the actuator body, which may be the outer end of the body is appropriate when the bar is not to be actuated manually from outside, as may for example be the case if the assembly is remotely operated and motor driven.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is also provided a lock mechanism comprising one or more locking or latching members and a lock actuator assembly according to the first aspect of the invention. The lock mechanism may be a multipoint lock.

The multipoint lock may be provided on a door and the lock actuator assembly may be drivingly connected to the multipoint lock. Thus, according to a third aspect of the invention there is also provided a door comprising a lock actuator assembly according to the first aspect of the invention or comprising a lock mechanism according to the second aspect of the invention.

Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a lock actuator assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

is a cross-sectional view of the lock actuator assembly mounted in a door and with a connecting bar located in a first position;

is a cross-sectional view of the lock actuator assembly and door with the connecting bar being moved away from a first position;

is a cross-sectional view of the lock actuator assembly and door with the connecting bar positioned mid-way between the first and second positions;

is a cross-sectional end view of a cam of the lock actuator assembly and a restrictor pin assembly engaging the cam, with the cam in a first position;

is a cross-sectional end view of the cam and the restrictor pin assembly, with the cam slightly displaced from the first position;

is a cross-sectional end view of the cam and the restrictor pin assembly, with the cam further displaced from the first position; and is a cross-sectional end view of the cam and the restrictor pin assembly, with the cam still further displaced into a second range of positions.

Detailed Description

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the lock actuator assembly 1 comprises an actuator body 2, having a first end 3 and a second, opposite, end 5. The actuator body 2 has the cross-section of a euro-profile cylinder such that it may be mounted within an aperture within a door that is shaped to receive euro-profile cylinders.

The actuator body 2 contains a substantially cylindrical plug 7 and a cam part 9, mounted upon the plug 7 such that the cam part 9 may be rotated by rotating the plug 7 within the actuator body 2. The cam part 9 may be used, for example, to actuate a multipoint lock (not shown) by a projecting part 9A of the cam part 9 engaging a lock mechanism in a manner known per se.

The cam part 9 and the plug 7 are secured together and act as a single unit. They are collectively referred to herein as the cam.

Rotation of the cam is restricted in the installed assembly to about 200 degrees by engagement of a pin 8A biased into contact with the cam by a spring 8B which is compressed between the pin 8A and a stopper 8C.

The lock actuator assembly 1 is arranged to be mounted within a door 11, the door 11 having an interior side 13 and an exterior side 15, with the lock actuator assembly 1 operable from the inside 13 of the door 11 only. The second end 5 of the actuator body 2 (which faces the outside 15 of the door 11 when installed in the door 11) is solid and does not for example have an aperture for a key, or any other means of actuating the cam. Furthermore, the second end 5 of the actuator body 2 is chamfered such that, even if it is exposed within an opening in the door after an exterior cover plate is removed, if someone were to attack the actuator body 2 from the outside 15 of the door 11 they would not easily be able to remove the actuator body 2 using a gripping device, such as a pair of pliers. The assembly is further protected by an anti-drill pin 6 of hardened steel which is disposed in the chamfered end 5 of the actuator body 2.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the plug 7 is accessible at the first end 3 of the actuator body 2, which is next to the inside 13 of the door 11 when installed in the door 11. The lock actuator assembly 1 comprises a connecting bar 17, in the form of an elongate member, which rotatably couples the plug 7 with a handle and/or other actuator (not shown) mounted on the inside face 13 of the door 11. Such an arrangement allows for the cam to be actuated using the handle and/or other actuator. The handle may for example be in the form of a thumb turn. The connecting bar 17 of the presently described embodiment of the invention is adjustably mounted so that it may be used on doors of different thicknesses .

The elongate connecting bar 17, which has a rectangular cross-section, is partially received in a corresponding rectangular passage 21 which passes through the plug 7, along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7. The connecting bar 17 is located within the plug 7 such that a received portion 25 of the connecting bar 17 is contained within the plug 7 and a projecting portion 27 projects out of the plug 7.

The connecting bar 17 is movable within the plug 7, along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7, between a first, a second, and a third position such that the length of the projecting portion 27 may be increased or decreased. When positioned in the first, second, or third positions a biasing arrangement ensures that the connecting bar 17 cannot move within the plug 7 without an external force being applied along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7, for example by someone manually adjusting the lock actuator assembly 1.

The biasing arrangement consists of a pin 29 and spring 31 arrangement which will now be described with reference also to Figures 3 and 4. The plug 7 comprises a cylindrical pin chamber 33 which projects radially inwards from the circumference of the plug 7, towards the internal passage 21, such that the pin chamber 33 intersects the internal passage 21. At the intersection of the pin chamber 33 and internal passage 21, the diameter of the pin chamber 33 decreases such that a shoulder 35 is formed between the internal passage 21 and the pin chamber 33. Such an arrangement allows for a pin 29 to be located within the pin chamber 33, with the distal end 37 of the pin 29 breaching the walls of the internal passage 21 such that the distal end 37 of the pin 29 is located within the internal passage, the pin 29 being prevented from moving further into the passage 21 by the pin 29 abutting the shoulder 35.

The pin 29, which is located in the pin chamber 33, has a conically chamfered distal end 37 which is arranged to move from the pin chamber 33 into the internal passage. The shoulder 35 located at the intersection of the internal passage 21 and the pin chamber 33 abuts the pin 29 adjacent the distal end 37 such that only the distal end 37 of the pin 29 may enter the internal passage. The pin 29 comprises a cylindrical spring chamber 41 which is located at the opposite end of the pin 29 to the distal end 37, the spring chamber 41 is arranged such that the spring 31 may be received in the pin 29. A cylindrical clip 43 is mounted around the outer surface of the plug 7 and positioned to cover the pin chamber 33 with a first end 45 of the spring 31 abutting the internal surface of the clip 43 and a second, opposite, end 47 of the spring 31 abutting the pin 29, the spring 31 being oriented radially inside the plug 7 such that the force exerted by the spring 31 on the pin 29 pushes the distal end 37 of the pin 29 into the passage 21 located within the plug 7. The pin 29 is therefore biased by the force of the spring 31 in a radial direction towards the internal passage 21 of the plug 7.

The connecting bar 17 comprises three recesses 49 which are located on the surface of the connecting bar 17 and are spaced along the length of the connecting bar 17. The recesses 49, which in this example are through bores, are positioned and shaped such that the conical tip of the pin 29 may be received within each of the recesses 49. The first, second, and third positions of the connecting bar 17 therefore correspond to the pin 29 being engaged with each of the first recess 49A, second recess 49B, and third recess 49C, respectively. When the pin 29 is engaged with one of the recesses 49, the connecting bar 17 is biased towards that position and may not be moved without an external force being exerted along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7. As discussed, the connecting bar 17 may be moved from one of the first, second, or third positions by manually exerting a force along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7; the sequence of events that happens within the lock actuator assembly 1 when the connecting bar 17 is moved from the first position to the second position will now be described with reference to the cross-sectional drawings shown in Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 2 shows the pin 29 engaged with the first recess 49A such that the connecting bar 17 is biased into the first position. The connecting bar 17 may be moved to the second position by exerting a force along the axis of rotation 23 of the plug 7, away from the lock actuator assembly 1, in the direction of the arrow labelled X. As the connecting bar 17 moves in the direction of the arrow labelled X, the first recess 49A moves laterally relative to the pin 29, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the force exerted on the pin 29 by the spring 31. As this happens, the conically chamfered tip of the pin 29 acts as a ramp which moves the pin 29 out of the first recess 49A, against the force of the spring 31, as can be seen from Figure 3. As the connecting bar 17 continues to move in the direction of the arrow labelled X, the distal end 37 of the pin 29 is moved completely out of the first recess 49A such that the distal end 37 of the pin 29 is now in contact with the surface of the connecting bar 17, as shown in Figure 4.

As can be seen from the figures, the connecting bar 17 may be positioned in the second position by continuing to move the connecting bar 17 in the direction of the arrow labelled X until the second recess 49B is located adjacent the pin 29 and the force of the spring 31 biases the pin 29 into the second recess 49B. The connecting bar 17 may be moved to the third position by continuing to move the connecting bar 17 in the direction of the arrow labelled X until the distal end 37 of the pin 29 is received in the third recess 49C. Conversely, the connecting bar 17 may be moved from the second position back to the first position (or from the third position to the second position) by moving the connecting bar 17 in the direction opposite to the arrow labelled X. The length of the projecting portion 27 may in this way be adjusted to suit doors of differing thickness.

Referring now also to Figs. 5 to 8, the cam and restrictor arrangement embodying the invention will now be described. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the restrictor pin 8A is slidably mounted in a passageway formed in the first end 3 of the actuator body 2. The passageway extends radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the cam and the longitudinal axis of the pin 8A intersects the rotational axis of the cam. In the example illustrated the passageway extends vertically in the middle of the first end 3 of the actuator body. In Figure 1 the top, open, end 10 of the passageway is visible .

The bottom end of the passageway is closed by the stopper 8C fixed therein. The compression spring 8B, disposed between the top of the stopper 8C and the bottom of the pin 8A resiliently biases the pin into contact with the plug 7 close to the rear end of the plug.

Figure 5 shows the cam and restrictor in a first position. The rear end of the plug 7 is formed with a recess 12 around a small portion of its periphery and the top of the pin 8A is biased by the spring 8B into the recess 12. At each end of the recess 12 the end walls are inclined outwardly to form ramp surfaces. It may be noted that in Figure 5, the position of the cam is such that the projecting part 9A extends vertically downwards and is therefore contained entirely within the envelope of the actuator body 2.

Figure 6 shows the cam after it has been displaced slightly so that the pin 8A is in contact with an inclined end wall of the recess 12. Movement to this position does not require any longitudinal movement of the pin 8A and is therefore not significantly resisted.

If, however, a force is applied to rotate the cam further, then an increased force is needed in order that the pin 8A is driven downwardly against the bias of the spring 8B through the camming action of the inclined end wall on the pin 8A. Figure 7 shows the cam after the further rotation, with the pin 8A now being biased against a plain circumferential surface of the plug 7. Some movement into and from this position does not require any longitudinal movement of the pin 8A and is therefore not significantly resisted. Upon further rotational movement to the position shown in Figure 8, the pin 8A becomes free to enter a recess 14 that extends around a major portion of the periphery of the rear end of the plug 7 and, owing to the bias of the spring 8B, is driven into that recess. In the particular example described the recess 14 extends around 200 degrees of the plug periphery. The recess 14 is disposed diametrically opposite the recess 12. Once the pin 8A is engaged in the recess 14, rotation of the cam which retains the pin 8A in the recess 14 does not require any longitudinal movement of the pin 8A and is therefore not significantly resisted. Thus the cam is free to rotate through a second range of positions extending around about 200 degrees .

The end walls of the recess 14 are perpendicular to its circumferential wall rather than being inclined and they do not therefore provide ramp surfaces for the pin 8A. Accordingly they restrict rotation of the cam to the second range of positions in which the pin 8A engages the recess 14.

When the lock actuator assembly is first provided (before installation in a door), the pin 8A is in the position shown in Figure 5. In this position the actuator assembly can readily be inserted into a door opening sized to receive a euro-profile cylinder. The cam can then be rotated into the position shown in Figure 8; equally, if preferred the cam can be rotated to a position diametrically opposite to that shown in Figure 8, according to the handing that is required for the particular installation.

Once the lock actuator assembly 1 according to the presently described embodiment of the invention has been installed in a door 11 and the projecting portion 27 has been set to the correct length, a handle (which may be, for example, a thumb turn) or other actuator may be mounted upon the end of the connecting bar 17 so that the cam part 9 may be rotated by turning the handle or other actuator. In addition to the thumb turn, an electric motor drive may be coupled to the connecting bar 17 between the handle and the actuator body 2. Although the connecting bar 17 is not locked in, but merely biased in, the first, second, or third positions, once the handle is mounted upon the end of the connecting bar 17, the bar 17 is entirely enclosed and it will not be possible to apply axial force to the connecting bar 17, so the connecting bar 17 will remain in the desired position.

It may be noted that, with the cam in the second range of positions, the assembly may not be readily withdrawable from the door in which it is mounted. That may be advantageous for security but it is desirable that the assembly can, if necessary, be withdrawn, for example for maintenance or replacement. To enable the assembly to be withdrawn, the leading end of the pin may be accessed with a thin-tipped tool inserted into the assembly from the inside of the door; the tool may then be used to press the pin 8A downwardly against its resilient bias, allowing the cam to be rotated out of its second range of positions and back into its first range of positions in which the projecting part 9A of the cam part 9 is contained within the envelope of the actuator body 2 and therefore no longer obstructs removal of the actuator assembly from the door.

The cam and restrictor arrangement embodying the invention is of particular advantage in a lift and lock locking mechanism; such a mechanism may be used to operate a multipoint lock.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

1. A lock actuator assembly arranged for mounting within a door, the lock actuator assembly comprising:

2. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first range of positions extends through an angular range of less than 20 degrees.

3. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first range of positions is substantially just a single position.

4. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the projecting part of the cam is contained substantially within the envelope of the actuator body throughout the first range of positions.

5. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the envelope of the actuator body is substantially the shape of a euro-profile cylinder.

6. A lock actuator claim, wherein the through an angular assembly according to any preceding second range of positions extends range of more than 180 degrees.

7. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the restrictor is elongate.

8. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 7, wherein the restrictor comprises a pin.

9. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongate restrictor passes through or adjacent to the axis of rotation of the cam and is substantially transverse thereto.

10. A lock actuator assembly according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the elongate restrictor is slidably mounted in a passageway in the actuator body and a compression spring is compressed between one end of the restrictor and a stop defined in or at an inner end of the passageway to resiliently bias the restrictor into engagement with the cam.

11. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the restrictor is able to be moved against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam away from the first range of positions and into the second range of positions upon a sufficient rotational force being applied to the cam by a camming action between a portion of the restrictor and a portion of the cam, the camming action moving the restrictor in a direction opposed by the resilient bias.

12. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 11, wherein, in the first range of positions, the restrictor engages a first recess in the periphery of the cam.

13. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 12, in which one or more ramp surfaces are provided at one end or each end of the first recess.

14. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the restrictor prevents rotation of the cam away from the second range of positions even when a substantial rotational force is applied to the cam.

15. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 14, wherein, in the second range of positions, the restrictor engages a second recess in the periphery of the cam.

16. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 15, wherein the end walls of the second recess are in substantially radial planes such that they do not move the restrictor against its resilient bias in a camming action.

17. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly is arranged such that other manual intervention is effective to move the restrictor against its resilient bias to allow rotation of the cam from the second range of positions into the first range of positions.

18. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 17, wherein said other manual intervention comprises inserting a tool through an opening in the assembly to move the restrictor against its resilient bias and rotating the cam while the restrictor is moved.

19. A lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising an elongate member rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the elongate member comprises a received end and a projecting end, the received end being received within the actuator body and the projecting end projecting out of the actuator body, wherein the elongate member is movable between a first position in which the projecting end is of a first length, and a second position in which the projecting end is of a second length, the length of the projecting end thereby being adjustable to suit the thickness of the door .

20. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first and second positions are predetermined positions .

21. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 20, wherein the elongate member is held in each of the predetermined positions by a resiliently biased member that opposes movement of the elongate member out of the respective predetermined position.

22. A lock actuator assembly according to claim 21, wherein the elongate member can be moved manually out of the respective predetermined position against the bias of the resiliently biased member.

23. A lock actuator assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A multipoint lock comprising one or more locking or 10 latching members and a lock actuator assembly according to any preceding claim.

25. A door comprising a lock actuator assembly according to any of claims 1 to 23.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1610638.7 Examiner: Mr Haydn Gupwell