NZ579405A

NZ579405A - An bolt assembly adjustable in length to between a short or long backset mode

Info

Publication number: NZ579405A
Application number: NZ57940509A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: John Constantinou
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-03
Filing date: 2009-09-02
Publication date: 2009-12-24
Also published as: AU2009212928A1; CN101666179B; AU2009212928B2; CN101666179A

Abstract

An adjustable bolt assembly is disclosed. The bolt assembly forms part of a cylindrical lock set by connection to a cylindrical lock assembly such that the backset of the bolt assembly can be easily adjusted. The cylindrical lock assembly includes a chassis housing a shuttle with the cylindrical lock assembly being operable to move the shuttle relative to the chassis so as to move a lock bolt of the bolt assembly between an operative position and an inoperative position. The bolt assembly can be operated in a short backset mode or a long backset mode. The bolt assembly includes a housing (11), a lock bolt, a draw bar (15) and a tail bar (8) associated with the draw bar (15) which has a tail end connected to the shuttle. The lock bolt is movable relative to the housing between an extended operating position and a retracted non-operating position. The draw bar (15) has a head end connected to the bolt. A detent (17) is biased towards connecting the tail bar (8) and the draw bar (15) so that they operate together in normal use. When the detent (17) is moved out of engagement, the tail bar (8) is movable in an axial direction relative to the draw bar (15) so as to adjust the operation of the bolt assembly between the short backset mode and the long backset mode. A conversion tool (23) may be used to facilitate the change in mode.

Description

579405 Patent Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE: Adjustable Bolt Assembly For Use With A Cylindrical Lock Assembly We ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Limited of 235 Huntingdale Road, Oakleigh, Victoria, 3166, Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 579405 2 Adjustable Bolt Assembly For Use With A Cylindrical Lock Assembly This application claims priority from Australian Application No.2008904584 filed 5 on 3 September 2008, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.

This invention relates to a bolt assembly for use with a cylindrical lock assembly that is adjustable to operate in either a relatively long backset mode or a relatively short backset mode. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe 10 the invention with particular reference to doors, however it ought to be appreciated that the invention has wider application.

The following discussion of the background to the invention is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general 15 knowledge in Australia as at the priority date established by the present application. Furthermore, for the purpose of this description of the invention the term long backset is interchangeable with the term extended backset as used by some members of the lock industry.

A bolt assembly of the foregoing kind is normally located in a bore 20 extending from an edge of the door panel. The bolt assembly operatively engages a cylindrical lock assembly located in a cylindrical aperture extending between the inner and outer surface of the door panel. The lock assembly includes a shuttle that is moved relative to a chassis by operation of the lock assembly so as to move a bolt associated with the bolt assembly.

The position of the cylindrical aperture relative to the edge of the door is referred to as the backset. The backset can vary to allow for numerous factors including the type of door or type of door furniture, and it is generally preferable to offer bolt assemblies suitable for backsets between 127mm and 60mm. While one option is to supply multiple fixed length bolt assemblies with each cylindrical 30 lock assembly, it is generally preferable to supply a bolt assembly that has an adjustable backset. 579405 3 It is generally desirable for a bolt assembly to snugly fit within the bore so as to increase the likelihood of the bolt accurately locating within the strike when the door is being closed. The applicant is familiar with one bolt assembly having an adjustable backset that has a housing with an adjustable casing sleeve. The 5 casing slides over the housing between a relatively long backset position and a relatively short backset position. When the casing is in a relatively long backset position there is a gap between the wall defining the bore and the housing such that the housing does not snugly fit within the bore.

The applicant is also familiar with a bolt assembly having a draw bar 10 associated with the bolt, connected to a tail bar which engages the chassis of the cylindrical lock assembly. The axial position of the tail bar relative to the draw bar can be adjusted so as to adjust between the short backset mode and the long backset mode. The tail bar can be held in its relative position by way of a small threaded fastener or the like. However the fastener can become loose, 15 which can affect the ability of the tail bar and draw bar combination to transfer a retracting force along its length. Furthermore the size of the fastener makes it susceptible to being misplaced, again affecting the ability of installer to easily adjust the bolt assembly between the short backset and the long backset.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in detail with 20 reference to the accompanying drawings. It ought to be appreciated however that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect.

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the adjustable bolt assembly according to the invention in use with a 25 cylindrical lock assembly.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a lock bolt with a tail bar, draw bar and detent in a short backset mode.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the tail bar, draw bar and detent in an active position. 579405 4 Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the housing, tail bar, draw bar and detent moved to the inactive position.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the draw bar, detent in the inactive position, with the tail bar moved towards the long backset mode.

Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the housing, draw bar, detent with the tail bar moved towards the long backset mode.

Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the draw bar with the detent moved towards the inactive position, and the tail bar in the short backset mode.

Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the draw bar with the detent 10 moved towards the inactive position, and the tail bar in the long backset mode.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the draw bar, detent in the active position, with the tail bar in the long backset mode.

Figure 10 illustrates an isometric view of the housing, draw bar, detent, the tail bar in the long backset mode with the casing spaced from the housing.

Figure 11 illustrates an isometric view of the housing, draw bar, detent, the tail bar in the long backset mode, with the casing adjacent the housing.

Figure 12 illustrates an isometric view of the housing, draw bar, detent the tail bar in the long backset mode, with the casing engaging the housing, Figure 1 illustrates component parts of the cylindrical lock assembly 20 including an inner part 1 and an outer part 2. The inner part 1 and outer part 2 interact with a bolt assembly 3, with the inner part 1 engaging the bolt assembly 3 when the parts are installed in a door panel 4. The inner part 1 is normally located on the inside of the door panel 4 and the outer part 2 is located on the outside of the door panel 4 with the two parts connected by a pair of fixing 25 screws (not shown).

The inner part 1 includes a chassis 5 for location in a cylindrical aperture 6 formed through the face of the door panel 4. The bolt assembly 3 is located in a bore 7 extending from an edge of the door panel 4. The bore has an axis XX 579405 which intersects the axis YY of the aperture 6. The combination of the cylindrical aperture and the orientation of the axis XX relative to YY distinguish a cylindrical lock set from other forms of lock assemblies such as rim locks and mortice locks.

It should be noted the inner part 1 has been rotated a quarter turn in the clockwise direction Z to show the chassis 5 houses a shuttle 9. The shuttle 9 is moveable within the chassis 5 on rotation of the handle 10. The chassis 5 is rotationally positioned within the aperture 6 so that movement of the shuttle 9 is substantially in line with the axis XX. The bolt assembly 3 includes a housing 11 10 that engages the chassis 5 when installed. The shuttle 9 engages a tail bar 8 so that when the shuttle 9 is retracted into the chassis 5 a lock bolt 2 of the bolt assembly 3 is retracted within the housing 11.

While Figure 1 illustrates the cylindrical lock assembly including a handle 10, the operation of the handle 10 may be fouled by the position of the handle 15 10 relative to the lock stile or architrave (not shown). More specifically, where the inner surface of the door 4 is recessed relative to the architrave, operation of the handle 10 is more likely to be fouled than where the inner surface of the door 4 is aligned with the architrave. In particular the user may find it difficult locating the key in the lock cylinder 13, or rotating the handle 10. In these 20 situations, the user has the option of adjusting the backset of the bolt assembly to a longer or extended backset. Adjustment of the backset of the bolt assembly according to a preferred embodiment of this invention will be hereinafter described.

Referring now to Figure 2 which shows part of the bolt assembly 3 with 25 the housing 11 removed. This figure reveals the bolt 12 connected to a head end 14 of a draw bar 15 by a pin 18 (see pin in Figure 3). The bolt assembly also includes the tail bar 8 having a tail end 16 that is connected in use to the shuttle 9. It is important to note that the tail bar 8 is not connected directly to the lock bolt 12 by the pin 18, but rather is indirectly connected to the draw bar 15 30 by a detent 17. This connection is more clearly shown in subsequent figures. ftsso'.pfys ixck\:< ■'.C-.'?i 579405 6 Figure 3 illustrates the detent 17 including an aperture 19 to receive the pin 18 so as to fix the axial position XX of the detent 17 relative to the draw bar 15. It ought to be appreciated that it is not essential that the detent 17 be an element separate from the draw bar 15. More specifically the draw bar 15 could 5 be configured to releasably fix the axial position XX of the draw bar 15 relative to the tail bar 17.

The detent 17 illustrated includes a lug 20 formed on an arm 21. The lug 20 is located in a first recess 22 formed in the tail bar 8 when the detent 17 is in the active condition, as is illustrated in Figure 3. In order to adjust the axial 10 position XX of the tail bar 8 relative to the draw bar 15, it is necessary to move the detent 17 to a non active condition as illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4 illustrates a conversion tool 23 being used to project through an aperture 24 formed in the tail bar 8. This allows the tool 23 to engage the detent 17 and to move the lug 20 in a direction substantially transverse to the axial 15 direction XX. The form of tool 23 illustrated is clearly not essential as the function may be achieved by other forms of tools 23.

It can be seen from Figure 5 that this transverse movement disengages the lug 20 from the first recess 22 formed in the tail bar 8. The tail bar 8 can be moved in the axial direction XX as shown in Figure 5 or 6.

The detent 17 also includes a slot 25 which accommodates a guide 26 associated with the tail bar 8. This guide 26 and slot 25 arrangement limits movement of the tail bar 8 in the axial direction by the length of the slot 25. When comparing Figures 7 and 8 it can be noted that the guide 26 shunts within the slot 25 when the tail bar 8 is moved relative to the draw bar 15.

Figure 7 which illustrates the tail bar 8 having a pair of arms 27a,b, which define a slot 28 there between. The pin 18 extends through the slot 28 and interacts with at least one of the arms 27 and the detent 17 to limit movement of the tail bar 8 to the axial direction XX. Whilst two arms 27 are illustrated, the same result could be achieved by a single arm. 579405 7 Figure 8 shows the arm 21 on which the lug 20 is located is resiliently flexible so that when the tail bar 8 reaches the extended position illustrated, the lug 20 is urged to locate in the second recess 29 formed in the tail bar 8 as illustrated in Figure 9.

Referring now to Figure 10 which illustrates the tail bar 8 extended relative to the draw bar 15. A casing 30 is introduced to enclose at least part of the tail bar 8. The casing 30 has an end surface 31 extending in a radial direction relative to the axis XX. The end surface 31 is formed with an aperture 32 to allow the tail end 16 of the tail bar 8 to pass there through. The aperture 10 32 is configured so as to allow the tail end 16 to only pass there through in one or two rotational positions. However, in other rotational positions, the aperture 32 does not allow the tail bar 8 to pass there through.

Figure 10 illustrates the casing 30 in one rotational position. Once the tail bar 8 has passed through the aperture 32. the casing 30 is rotated a quarter 15 turn to the orientation illustrated in Figure 11. The casing 30 illustrated includes a pair of lugs 33 that snap fit into recesses 34 formed in the housing 11. This form of positive engagement is clearly only one possible form. For example the casing 30 may friction fit with the housing 11, or even screw on to the housing 11.

It should also be noted from Figure 11 that both the housing 11 and the casing 30 include arms 35 for engaging the chassis 9 of the cylindrical lock assembly. Naturally the arms 35 of the housing 11 engage the chassis 9 when the bolt assembly 3 is operating in the short backset mode and the arms 35 of the casing 30 engage the chassis 9 when the bolt assembly 3 is operating in the 25 longer backset mode.

Figure 12 illustrates the casing 30 fitted onto the housing 11 and it can be noted that the casing 30 has the same diameter as the housing 11. This enables the bolt assembly 3 to be snugly located in a standard size bore 7 regardless of whether the bolt assembly 3 is operating in a short backset or a 30 long backset mode. 579405 8 It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing description that the invention provides a bolt assembly 3 that is relatively simple to adjust between a short backset mode and a longer backset mode of operation. The casing 30 being of the same diameter as the housing 11 is a further preferred advantage 5 that allows for the bolt assembly to fit snugly within the bore 7 regardless of whether it is operating in a short backset mode or a longer backset mode.

Various alterations and or additions may be introduced to the lock bolt assembly as herein before described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims

579405 Received @ IPONZ 19 October 2009 9 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An adjustable bolt assembly for forming part of a cylindrical lock set by connection to a cylindrical lock assembly, the cylindrical lock assembly including a chassis housing a shuttle with the cylindrical lock assembly being operable to move 5 the shuttle relative to the chassis so as to move a lock bolt of the bolt assembly between an operative position and an inoperative position, the bolt assembly being operable in a short backset mode or a long backset mode and includes; a housing, a lock bolt being movable relative to the housing between an extended operative position and a retracted inoperative position, a draw bar having a head end connected 10 to the bolt, a tail bar associated with the draw bar and having a tail end connected to the shuttle, a detent biased towards an active condition in which condition the tail bar is movable with the draw bar in an axial direction, whereas the tail bar is movable relative to the draw bar when the detent adopts a non active condition so as to adjust operation of the bolt assembly between the short backset mode and the long backset 15 mode.

2. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detent is associated with the draw bar so as to be movable therewith when the detent is moved from the active position and the bolt assembly is adjusted between the short backset mode and the long backset mode. 20

3. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the detent is associated with the draw bar only so as to be movable therewith and relative to the tail bar when the detent is moved from the active position and the bolt assembly is adjusted between the short backset mode and the long backset mode.

4. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 25 wherein the detent includes a lug which is movable in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction.

5. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 4 wherein the lug seats in a first or second recess when the detent adopts the active condition which corresponds to the short backset mode and long backset mode respectively, and the lug is spaced 30 from said recesses when the detent adopts the non active condition. 579405 Received @ IPONZ 19 October 2009 10

6. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 5 wherein the tail bar includes the first and second recess.

7. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the detent includes a resiliently flexible member having a relatively fixed end associated with the 5 draw bar, with the lug adjacent a relatively free end of said flexible member.

8. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the tail bar is configured to allow access to the detent so as to facilitate movement of the lug in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction.

9. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 8 wherein the tail bar includes at 10 least one aperture through which the detent can be engaged so as to facilitate movement of the lug.

10. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 9 wherein the aperture also provides an engagement site to enable the user to engage the tail bar so as to move it relative to the draw bar. 15

11. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a pin that connects the head of the draw bar to the bolt.

12. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 11 wherein the pin also connects the detent to the draw bar so as to limit movement in the axial direction of the detent relative to the draw bar. 20

13. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the tail bar includes at least one arm which interacts with the pin and the detent to limit movement of the tail bar to the axial direction.

14. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the tail bar includes a slot which interacts with the pin to limit movement of the tail bar to the axial 25 direction.

15. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detent is connected to the draw bar to limit movement of the detent relative to the draw bar in the axial direction.

16. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detent includes a slot which accommodates a guide associated with the tail bar so as to allow the guide to shunt within the slot as the bolt assembly adjusts between short backset mode and long backset mode of operation. 5

17. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 16 wherein the guide shunts in a direction generally aligned with the axial direction.

18. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a casing which interacts with the housing to enclose at least part of the tail bar when the bolt assembly is operating in the long backset mode, the housing having 10 a substantially cylindrical surface that extends in the axial direction, the casing having a substantially cylindrical surface that when connected to the housing also extends in the axial direction and having a diameter that does not exceed the diameter of the housing.

19. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 18 wherein the diameter of the 15 casing is substantially similar to the diameter of the housing.

20. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the casing includes an aperture in an end surface extending in a radial direction that is configured to allow the tail end of the tail bar to pass there through in one rotational position and not pass there through when in another rotational position so as to 20 present a barrier to the tail end of the tail bar retracting into the casing when the bolt assembly is operating in the long backset mode.

21. An adjustable bolt assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the casing is connected to the housing in a secure engagement.

22. An adjustable bolt assembly according to claim 21 wherein the casing includes a 25 lug that snap fits a recess in the housing for the casing to securely engage the housing.

23. An adjustable latch bolt assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the casing engages the chassis when the bolt assembly is operating in the 579405 Received @ IPONZ 19 October 2009 12 long backset mode and the housing engages the chassis when the bolt assembly operating in the short backset mode.