NL2002626C2

NL2002626C2 - Door lock for a movable door panel.

Info

Publication number: NL2002626C2
Application number: NL2002626A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Cornelis Vlastuin
Original assignee: Eeventure B V
Priority date: 2009-03-13
Filing date: 2009-03-13
Publication date: 2010-09-14

Description

DP/P87O76NL00

Door lock for a movable door panel

The invention relates to a door lock for a movable door panel having inner and outer surfaces.

Doors in buildings are commonly provided with tiltable actuating handles that pivot from the door surface to operate door locks in opening and 5 closing of such doors. For locking doors in a door frame or casing, such door locks are provided with a retractable bolt that can he operated by such operating handles. While such known door handles are easy to use, they also stand proud of the door panel surface. Apart from being aesthetically objectionable, the exposed parts of a door handle can also present a serious 10 safety hazard. It is not unknown for door handles to inflict injury to persons or cause damage to objects passing through door openings. Portions of clothing or object can all too easily become caught or entangled behind such exposed door handles. For use in aircraft cabins or like vehicular occupant spaces it has been proposed to construct actuating members that do not form undesirable 15 projections. Such constructions are disclosed in patent publications US 2534693 and US 2534693, and include actuating elements that are tiltable about a vertical axis and are flush with the door panel surface when not operated. Associated coupling elements move a bolt between its extended and retracted position. Operation of this known alternative door lock mechanism is 20 by pulling the actuating element, which is normally recessed into a cavity on the door surface. In order to enable grasping of the actuating element, part of the cavity is left uncovered by this actuating element. This remaining cavity portion, when the lock is not operated, or the pulled out actuating element itself, when the lock is operated, can still not entirely remove the hazards 25 associated with door locks. Moreover when a door is to be opened by pushing it away from the operating person, the manipulation of pulling the operating element to unlock the door and pushing the door in the direction in which it opens can be rather awkward to a human being. Also the vertical pivot axis of 2 the actuating element requires the hand of an operating person to he in a position different from that expected from the common pivoting door handles.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved door lock and actuating device of the above referred to kind. In a 5 more general sense it is thus an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative structures which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is an object of the invention to at least 10 provide the public with a useful choice.

To this end the invention provides a door lock for a movable door panel having inner and outer surfaces, the door lock including: a lock housing; a bolt movable between an extended position with respect to the lock housing and a retracted position within the lock housing; an actuating member having 15 an outer face and adapted for mounting in a door panel with its outer face, in an non-operated position, to be coextensive with one of an inner and outer surface of the door panel, the actuating member being pivotally supported from the lock housing and capable of being deflected to an operative position by manually pushing the outer face; a transmission mechanism for 20 transmitting pivotal deflective movement of the actuating member into motion of the bolt from its extended position toward its retracted position; and biasing means for biasing the bolt to its extended position and the actuating member to its non-operated position, wherein the actuating member is pivotally supported about a horizontally extending pivot axis.

25 Embodiments of the invention can additionally be provided with the following particulars, either separately or in combination. The lock housing can advantageously be provided with an aperture receiving the actuating member. In such an arrangement the aperture is preferably rectangular and defined by opposite horizontal and vertical edges. With such an opening the 30 actuating member can have a rectangular contour substantially filling the 3 aperture, when in its non-operated position. It is then also advantageous when the actuating member is pivotally supported adjacent to an upper of the horizontal edges of the aperture. In such a case the lower horizontal edge of the aperture can be manually grasped when the actuating member is pivotally 5 deflected into its operated position.

It is further advantageous when the bolt is arranged on a bolt carrier that is pivoted about a pivot pin on the lock housing that extends transverse to the bolt’s direction of movement. In one advantageous embodiment the transmission mechanism may include an arm member on the 10 bolt carrier and a cam member operatively connected to the actuating member and wherein the cam member engages the arm member for pivoting the bolt to its retracted position. The biasing means then may include a spring urging arm member in engagement with the cam member. In yet another advantageous embodiment the transmission mechanism may include a cable 15 operatively connected between the bolt carrier and the actuating member. The biasing means in this other embodiment may include a spring urging the bolt carrier to effect the extended position of the bolt.

To mount the conventional door locks and operating handles to a door, several openings and recesses need to be formed in a door panel. These 20 openings for the door handles and the recess for accommodating the door lock housing, moreover, need to be precisely in register with one another and within narrow tolerances with respect to cooperating structures in the door frame. It is perhaps needless to say that this is a cumbersome and laborious process in the manufacture of doors. In a particular advantageous 25 arrangement of the door lock according to the invention, the lock housing can be adapted to form part of at least one of the inner and outer door panel surfaces.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description of preferred embodiments.

4

The invention will now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial view of a wall with a door having a door lock according to the invention; 5 Figure 2 is a detail of the door of Figure 1 showing the door lock in an actuated position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross section of a first embodiment of the door lock according to the invention shown in a locking position;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section similar to Figure 3, but with 10 the door lock shown in an unlocked position;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross section similar to Figure 3, hut showing a second embodiment of the door lock according to the invention in a locking position; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross section showing an unlocked position 15 of the second embodiment.

Referring first to Figure 1, a wall 1 is shown that is provided with a door frame 3. A door 5 is pivotally received in the door frame 3 in any suitable conventional manner, such as by hinges. The door 5 is provided with a door lock 7 that has a bolt 9 projecting from a face pate 11 of the door lock 7. The 20 bolt 9 is engagable with a cavity in the door frame 3 (not shown, but conventional).

The bolt 9 further is retractable into the door lock 7 upon manipulation of a door actuating member 13 in the form of a pivoting actuating plate. Preferably the actuating plate 13 is pivoted about a horizontal 25 axis as shown in Figure 2. More preferably, the actuating plate 13,which normally lies flush with the door surface is pivoted along its upper side to reveal a gripping edge 15 on a lower edge of door aperture 17, which accommodates the actuating plate 13.

As shown in Figure 2 the door aperture 17 can extend from a first 30 side 19 to a second side 21 of the door 5. This arrangement allows the handle 5 plate 13 to be operated from either side 19, 21 of the door 5. It will, however, be clear to the skilled person that the actuating plate 13 may be accessible only from one side of a door or that there may be individual actuating plates on each of the first and second sides of the door. In the latter arrangement the 5 aperture 17 may be defined on each side of the door by an individual cavity which prevents any draught through the door lock, as may be objectionable in some cases.

It is further shown in Figure 2 that the door lock 7 according to the invention may be concealed within a cavity formed in door 5. This is common 10 practise and the face plate 11 will then be attached by screw fasteners 23. It is however also conceivable that the door lock is executed as a complementary portion to the door 3 and that approximately a portion of the door as shown in Figure 2, is in fact provided as a door lock. Not only can this provide a nice finish on both sides of the door, but also does it enhance the mounting 15 procedure. Mounting a door lock in the conventional manner by forming a complex cavity in the door is a laborious and inconvenient process. With the alternative of having the door lock formed with complementary partial door faces to either side of the door it becomes possible to simply cut a rectangular notch in the door, which can be done easily.

20 In reference to Figures 3 and 4 a first embodiment of the door lock according to the invention will now be described. The door lock 7 includes a housing 25. The housing 25 can be an integral part of the face plate 11, but may also conveniently be assembled from individual wall parts. Such design variations are within the purview of the person skilled in the art and need no 25 further elaboration. The housing 25 is provided with an internal division wall 27. The actuating plate 13 is pivotally journalled between a first pivot journal 29 engaged in a first bore 31 in division wall 27 and an opposite second pivot journal 33 rotatably engaged in a second bore 35 in an end wall 37 of the housing 25. As an extension of the first journal 29 the actuating plate 13 30 carries a cam member or eccentric 39. The bolt 9 in Figure 3 is extending 6 through a holt opening 41 in face plate 11. Inside the lock housing 25 the bolt 9 is carried by a bolt carrier 43, which is pivotally arranged on pivot pin 45. The bolt carrier 43 further is provided with an arm member 47. Arm member 47 is urged against the cam member 39 by a pressure spring 49.

5 As shown in Figure 4, the actuating plate 13 can be deflected in the manner shown in Figure 2. Deflecting the actuating plate 13 has the effect of rotating the cam member or eccentric 39. The cam member 39 will thereby lift the arm member 47 against a force exerted by spring 49. Through the arm member 47 the bolt carrier 43 will also rotate at about the pivot pin 45 and 10 thereby retract the bolt 9 through the bolt opening 41. In this position a door provided with the door lock according to the invention can be opened. If the door is to be opened in the direction in which the actuating plate 13 is deflected, it is sufficient for the operating person to maintain a pressing force on the actuating plate 13. If the door opens towards the operating person, her 15 or his hand that has deflected the actuating plate 13 can now take hold of the gripping edge 15 on the lower edge of the door aperture 17. With his or her hand in this position the actuating plate 13 will be blocked in the actuated position by the operating hand. Once the operating hand is withdrawn from the door aperture 17, the spring 49 will bias the bolt carrier 43 and actuating 20 plate 13 back to the position of Figure 3.

The lock housing 25 can be configured either as an exposed part of the door or be adapted for recess within a cavity inside the door. In both instances it will be useful to provide the face plate 11 with bores 51 for accepting fasteners such as the screws 23 shown in Figure 2.

25 Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the door lock, according to the invention. Like parts have been numbered by reference numbers similar to the first embodiment except for the addition of a full “100”. The door lock 107 of the second embodiment has again a division wall 127, from which a first journal 129 of the actuating plate 113 is pivoted. A second 30 pivot 133 of the actuating plate 113 is pivoted from end wall 137 of housing 7 125. The bolt 109 is pivotally carried by bolt carrier 143 from pivot pin 145. The bolt 109 extends through bolt opening 141 in face plate 111. The bolt 9 of this second embodiment is urged into the position shown in Figure 5 by an expansion spring 153. The expansion spring 153 is acting between the bolt 5 carrier 143 and the division wall 127. The bolt carrier 143 is further provided with a first cavity 155 on its side opposite to the bolt 109. A first pin 157 extends through the first cavity 155. A second cavity 159 is provided in the actuating plate 113 facing the first cavity 155 and a second pin 161 extends within this second cavity 159. A cable 163 has each of its opposite ends 10 attached to a relevant one of the first and second pins 157,161 and extends through an opening 165 in the division wall 127. The cable 163 also extends centrally through the helically wound expansion spring 153.

As is shown in Figure 6, by deflection of the actuating plate 113 about its first and second pivot journal 129, 133 the cable 163 is pulled 15 through the opening 165 in division wall 127. Pulling the cable 163 moves the first pin 157 of first cavity 155 and thereby pivots the bolt carrier 143 to effect withdrawal of the bolt 109. In this position it is possible to open a door that is provided with the door lock 107. Similar as in the first embodiment, the deflected actuating plate within aperture 117 reveals a gripping edge 115 that 20 is useful for pulling the door lock towards the user. Such a pulling movement may be required either to open or to close a door and the hand of the user occupying the space provided in the aperture 117 above the gripping edge 115 will retain the actuating plate 113 and thereby the bolt 109 in its unlocked position.

25 It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. The invention is not limited to any embodiment herein described and, within the purview of the skilled person; modifications are possible which should be considered within the scope of the appended claims. Equally all kinematic inversions are to be 30 considered within the scope of the present invention. The term comprising 8 when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Expressions such as: "means for ..." should be read as: "component configured for ..." or "member constructed to ..." and should be construed to include 5 equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use of expressions like: "critical", "preferred", "especially preferred" etc. is not intended to limit the invention. Features which are not specifically or explicitly described or claimed may be additionally included in the structure according to the present invention without deviating from its scope.

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Claims

1. Door lock for a movable door panel which has inner and outer surfaces, the door lock is thereby provided with: a lock housing; a bolt movable between an extended position with respect to the lock housing and a retracted position within the lock housing; an operating member that has an outer surface and is adapted for mounting in a door panel with the outer surface, in the non-operated state, flush with one of the inner and outer surfaces of the door panel, the operating member being pivotally supported by the lock housing and is adapted to be pivoted into an operative position by pushing manually against the outer surface; a transmission mechanism for transmitting a pivotal movement of the actuator in a movement of the bolt from its extended position to its retracted position; and forcing means to force the bolt into its extended position and the operating member into its non-operated position, wherein the operating member is pivotally supported about a horizontally extending pivot axis.

2. Door lock according to claim 1, wherein the lock housing is adapted to form a part of at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the door panel. Door lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lock housing is provided with an opening that receives the operating member.

The door lock of claim 3, wherein the opening is rectangular and is defined by opposite horizontal and vertical edges.

The door lock of claim 4, wherein the actuator has a rectangular contour that substantially fills the opening when in its non-operated position.

6. Door lock as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the operating member is pivotally supported near an upper of the horizontal edges of the opening.

7. Door lock according to claim 6, wherein the lower horizontal edge of the opening can be grasped by hand when the operating member is pivoted to its operative position.

8. Door lock as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the bolt is arranged on a bolt carrier which can be rotated about a hinge pin on the lock housing which extends transversely to the direction of movement of the bolt.

9. Door lock according to claim 8, wherein the transmission mechanism has an arm member on the bolt carrier and a cam member operatively connected to the operating member and wherein the cam member takes the arm member for rotating the bolt to its retracted position.

10. Door lock according to claim 9, wherein the coercive means comprises a spring urging the arm member to remain in engagement with the cam member.

The door lock of claim 8, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a cable operatively connected between the bolt carrier and the operating member.

The door lock of claim 11, wherein the urging means comprises a spring urging the bolt carrier to move the bolt to the extended position.